Cardio-oncología

Abstract

Cardio-oncology is a discipline that comprehensively addresses cardiovascular disease in patients with cancer. With the advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment, the survival rate of many malignant neoplasms has considerably increased in recent decades. This has brought the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with various treatment regimens into greater focus. The optimal management of these patients throughout the different stages of the oncologic process is based on proper cardiovascular risk stratification and the development of preventive strategies, followed by close monitoring using imaging techniques and serum cardiac biomarkers. The early introduction of heart failure medications in response to ventricular function deterioration as well as assessing interrupting oncologic treatment or the use of alternative regimens, in addition to cardioprotective agents or less cardiotoxic formulations, must be decided through consensus by multidisciplinary teams. It is also essential to establish a long-term follow-up plan for cancer survivors, whether pediatric or adult, and to ensure a healthy lifestyle along with optimal control of cardiovascular risk factors throughout the entire process.