Cardio-oncology – The Intersection Between Heart and Cancer Care

Cardio-oncology – The Intersection Between Heart and Cancer Care

Cardio-oncology is a rapidly emerging subspecialty that has gained momentum due to increasing insights into how cancer and its various treatment options can adversely affect the cardiovascular (CV) system. Many modern cancer therapies, including chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy and radiotherapy, carry significant risk of cardiotoxicity, which can manifest acutely or many years after treatment. Cardio-oncology focuses on the different aspects of CV care for patients with cancer who are undergoing or who have completed cancer treatment and involves optimisation and management of CV health, early detection of cardiac complications of cancer treatment and long-term follow up and surveillance.