Klin Onkol 1997; 10(3): 77-79.
In cancer patient treated with radiation therapy to the chest, the heart is an important area of potential treatment related injury. In combined modality therapy with antracyclines containing regimens, the risk is even greater. The injury can involve all basic structures of myocardium but the pericardium is injured most frequently. In the last decade, a high incidence of subclinical functional heart lesions was found in long term survivors. In patients with favorable prognosis, where aggressive antitumor treatment with the risk of cardiotoxicity is indicated, considering cardioprotection and regular follow up by a cardiologist seems reasonable.
