Cardiovascular Effects of Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy (RT) plays a prominent role in the treatment of many cancers. With increasing use of radiation therapy and high overall survival rates, the risks associated with RT must be carefully considered. Of these risks, the cardiovascular and autonomic toxicities have been of significant concern. In fact, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of non-malignancy related death in cancer survivors.The manifestations of radiation induced cardiac injury include the acute toxicities of myopericarditis and late toxicities including constrictive pericarditis, restrictive cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, heart failure, and conduction abnormalities.
Source: Current Problems in Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Source Type: research