Cardiology follow-up in childhood cancer survivors—Recommendations versus compliance

Abstract

Childhood cancer survivors are at risk of both early and late-stage cardiotoxicity. Despite these serious sequelae in cancer survivors, it is not known if patients maintain regular cardiology follow-ups throughout life. Our study evaluated if patients continue to follow cardiologists after cancer treatments finish. We noted that after the first routine follow-up visit, the majority of cancer survivors do not continue to follow up with a cardiologist, despite that being a recommendation by the Children’s Oncology Group and the American Heart Association. We found the lack of follow-up higher in survivors of leukemia/lymphoma malignancies. Our findings suggest a strong need for the education of patients, families, and primary care providers on the importance of lifelong cardiology evaluations.