Cardiovascular Toxicities in Pediatric Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Advances in cancer therapies have significantly improved patient outcomes. However, with improvements in survival, the toxicities associated with cancer therapy have become of paramount importance and oncologists are faced with the challenge of establishing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing toxicity. Cardiovascular disease represents a significant risk to survivors of childhood cancer and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. This article outlines the current state of knowledge regarding cardiotoxicity in children undergoing cancer therapies, including the impact of specific oncologic therapies, recommendations for cardiovascular screening, the management of established cardiac disease, and the evolving field of pediatric cardio-oncology.

Keywords: Anthracycline; Cardio-oncology; Cardiomyopathy; Cardiotoxicity; Chemotherapy; Heart failure; Oncocardiology; Pediatric cardiology.