Cardiovascular Oncology: Consensus Statements Are Still Lacking to Improve the Management of Side-Effects of Old and New Chemotherapeutic Agents

Abstract

Significant advances in diagnostic methods and better life-expectancy have resulted in increased number of patients with cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Elderly patients are at risk for both diseases, and the treatment of patients with cardiovascular and oncologic problems represents a daily clinical challenge, considering the heterogeneity of clinical situations. The present review underlines the complexity of cardiovascular oncology. In the last 5 years >18 new drugs against cancer, with possible cardiovascular side-effects, were approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Several new drugs are under evaluation in multicenter prospective studies, and some of these agents have potential cardiovascular side-effects. This review analyzes the difficulties for cardiovascular specialists to keep updated regarding the possible side-effects of new chemotherapeutic agents. The analysis of the mechanisms involved in cancer occurrence and progression are a field of research in continuous development with new discoveries, and technologies applied at developing effective chemotherapeutic drugs. Several recommendations have been proposed by the American Heart Association and European Society of Cardiology, promoting the need for close collaboration between cardiologists, surgeons, and oncologists. It is important to develop strategies to support training in cardiovascular oncology.