Growing Information on Medical Late Effects
August 08, 2006
Dutch scientists released the results of a long-term study of childhood cancer survivors in the online issue of the Annals of Oncology. The study followed 22 childhood or young adult cancer survivors for an average of 22 years. They determined treatment with anthracyclines caused an increased risk of heart disease. Twenty seven percent of the patients had systolic dysfunction, a condition where the heart’s left chambers fail to pump effectively. Forty-five percent of the population had diastolic dysfunction, meaning the left chambers of the heart aren’t fully relaxed after pumping. Previous studies have shown some long-term childhood cancer survivors are eight times more likely to have heart disease than their peers.
The late effects were related to the survivors’ exposure to anthracyclines, which are antibiotics used in the treatment of many childhood cancers. When used in combination with other drugs, they have drastically increased the survival rate for many childhood cancers. The drugs daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin and idarubicin are all anthracyclines.
Some cancer survivors already have a greater risk of developing heart disease. Radiation treatment that involves the heart may increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. In addition, female and African American survivors also appear to be at a higher risk.
Another study, released in the online journal Nature Medicine, found Gleevec, a drug used to treat Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, to cause heart failure in mice and in heart cells which were grown in test tubes under controlled conditions. The study, led by scientists from Jefferson Medical College, encourages continued use of the drug for cancer treatment with heart monitoring throughout treatment. Gleevec is in clinical trial for some forms of childhood cancer.
There are preventative measures cancer survivors should practice to reduce the risk of heart problems. Cancer survivors, in fact all people, should not smoke. Maintaining a healthy weight and participating in moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes several times a week should be part of a survivor’s lifestyle. Eating a high fiber, low-fat, plant based diet will contribute to a healthy heart. Even if you lead a healthy lifestyle, you should always inform your doctor of your cancer and treatment history. If you are not attending a late-effects clinic, you may have to provide information for your doctor regarding your increased risk of heart disease.
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August 08, 2006
Dutch scientists released the results of a long-term study of childhood cancer survivors in the online issue of the Annals of Oncology. The study followed 22 childhood or young adult cancer survivors for an average of 22 years. They determined treatment with anthracyclines caused an increased risk of heart disease. Twenty seven percent of the patients had systolic dysfunction, a condition where the heart’s left chambers fail to pump effectively. Forty-five percent of the population had diastolic dysfunction, meaning the left chambers of the heart aren’t fully relaxed after pumping. Previous studies have shown some long-term childhood cancer survivors are eight times more likely to have heart disease than their peers. The late effects were related to the survivors’ exposure to anthracyclines, which are antibiotics used in the treatment of many childhood cancers. When used in combination with other drugs, they have drastically increased the survival rate for many childhood cancers. The drugs daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin and idarubicin are all anthracyclines.
Some cancer survivors already have a greater risk of developing heart disease. Radiation treatment that involves the heart may increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. In addition, female and African American survivors also appear to be at a higher risk.
Another study, released in the online journal Nature Medicine, found Gleevec, a drug used to treat Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, to cause heart failure in mice and in heart cells which were grown in test tubes under controlled conditions. The study, led by scientists from Jefferson Medical College, encourages continued use of the drug for cancer treatment with heart monitoring throughout treatment. Gleevec is in clinical trial for some forms of childhood cancer.
There are preventative measures cancer survivors should practice to reduce the risk of heart problems. Cancer survivors, in fact all people, should not smoke. Maintaining a healthy weight and participating in moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes several times a week should be part of a survivor’s lifestyle. Eating a high fiber, low-fat, plant based diet will contribute to a healthy heart. Even if you lead a healthy lifestyle, you should always inform your doctor of your cancer and treatment history. If you are not attending a late-effects clinic, you may have to provide information for your doctor regarding your increased risk of heart disease.
Related Articles
Growth Hormone Produces Unexpected Heart Benefits
Know Your Medical Risks
<< Back
