The cardiotoxicity of anticancer agents

Semin Oncol. 1982 Mar;9(1):23-33.

Abstract

It is clear from this review that a number of the antineoplastics cause or are associated with cardiotoxicity. Cardiotoxicity is not uncommon with the anthracyclines, but is rare for most of the other antineoplastics. With the use of anthracyclines earlier in patients' illnesses and in particular in adjuvant situations the clinical investigator must be constantly aware of the possible cardiotoxicity of those agents. Improved methods to detect cardiotoxicity before it is clinically apparent are sorely needed, particularly for this adjuvant group. The possibility of a chemotherapy induced cardiac disorder should always be entertained in the patient with cancer who develops a cardiac problem.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Cardiomyopathies / chemically induced
  • Daunorubicin / adverse effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Doxorubicin / adverse effects
  • Electrocardiography
  • Heart / drug effects
  • Heart Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Heart Diseases / complications
  • Heart Failure / chemically induced
  • Heart Failure / diagnosis
  • Heart Failure / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / complications

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Doxorubicin
  • Daunorubicin