Does chemotherapy cause cardiotoxicity?
Cardiotoxicity is one of the most important adverse reactions of chemotherapy, leading to an important increase of morbidity and mortality (5,6). Cardiotoxicity can appear early or late in the course of the disease, and may vary from subclinical myocardial dysfunction to irreversible heart failure or even death (7).
Why do doctors not recommend chemotherapy?
Overall, 168 (27\%) patients did not receive chemotherapy. It was not recommended for 111 (18\%) patients; the most frequent reason was presence of one or more co-morbidities (34\%) or combination of co-morbidity and age or frailty (22\%).
What is cardiovascular toxicity in cancer patients?
Damage to the heart (cardiotoxicity), or blood vessels (cardiovascular toxicity) can occur during or after cancer treatment. As treatments have improved, more patients are surviving longer after a diagnosis of cancer than at any time in the past.
Why do we need to assess cardiac function prior to chemotherapy?
Some chemotherapy drugs can affect the muscles of the heart. This could change the rhythm of your heartbeat. In most people, this will go back to normal after you finish the chemotherapy. If you’re going to have one of these drugs, you need to have your heart checked before you start treatment.
Can chemotherapy cause myocardial infarction?
Reports have also indicated that cisplatin is linked to an increased risk of MI. Moore et al. reported that 20 out of 932 patients who were treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy experienced arterial thrombosis, including 2 MIs (13). Some molecular target drugs have also been implicated in the occurrence of MI.
Can chemo cause elevated troponin?
Chemotherapy protocols containing alkylating agents or anthracyclines have shown plasma troponin I elevation in 12–33\% in adults (43,54,62-65) and up to 47\% in children (56).
Which is harder on the body radiation or chemotherapy?
A systemic treatment like chemotherapy or liquid radiation may have more off-target side effects than a local treatment. But local treatments that are administered only to the cancer site, like external beam radiation or solid internal radiation treatment, may have more extreme side effects in that area of the body.
What are the downfalls of chemotherapy and radiation?
Chemotherapy drugs and radiation can destroy all types of healthy blood cells and harm the body’s production of new ones. Low levels of red blood cells (the cells that carry oxygen) can lead to anemia, which causes fatigue, paleness, shortness of breath, and a fast heartbeat.
Is chemotherapy induced cardiomyopathy reversible?
It is often reversible after treatment discontinuation and can be tolerated once again, if indicated, after recovery (10). The risk of developing trastuzumab cardiotoxicity increases in patients who receive concurrent anthracycline therapy especially if the cumulative doxorubicin dose is > 300 mg/m².
What are the symptoms of cardiac toxicity?
Symptoms of cardiac toxicity may include:
- Chest pain.
- Heart rhythm changes (arrhythmia).
- Fatigue.
- Shortness of breath.
- Weight gain.
- Swelling.
What is the difference between ECG and echocardiogram?
an echocardiogram. Although they both monitor the heart, EKGs and echocardiograms are two different tests. An EKG looks for abnormalities in the heart’s electrical impulses using electrodes. An echocardiogram looks for irregularities in the heart’s structure using an ultrasound.
Why would an oncologist order an echocardiogram?
Each time a patient gets chemotherapy, we monitor blood pressure and heart rhythm to check for irregularities. This gives us a good picture of how the patient is tolerating the treatment. In many cases, we order an echocardiogram to observe heart function in more detail.
What is chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity?
Cardiotoxicity can develop during cancer treatment – or – can occur within days or months or years after cancer treatment, once patients are cancer-free. Heart damage caused by chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity can reduce quality of life and increase the risk of death from cardiac-related causes.
How can I avoid cardiotoxicity during cancer treatment?
If you need to undergo cancer treatment, you can take a proactive role in avoiding cardiotoxicity. Tell your doctor about any personal or family history of heart disease. Ask your doctor if your cancer treatment poses any risk to your heart and blood vessels.
What are the possible side effects of cancer treatment?
These side effects, including high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, and heart failure, can be caused or exacerbated by chemotherapy and radiation therapy, as well as by newer forms of cancer treatment, such as targeted therapies and immunotherapies.
What is cardiotoxicity and how does it affect the heart?
These life-saving treatments, while successful at treating cancer, can sometimes cause problems in the heart and vascular (circulation) system – called cardiotoxicity. Cardiotoxicity can develop during cancer treatment – or – can occur within days or months or years after cancer treatment, once patients are cancer-free.
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