[Cardiotoxicity and pulmonary toxicity of chemotherapy]

Recently, the quality of life of a cancer patient has been extensively discussed. Especially, side effects of chemotherapy are major problems of cancer patients. Cardiotoxicity of adriamycin and pulmonary toxicity of bleomycin are not common side effects of chemotherapy, but they can be devastating, particularly, when they occur in a patient who has been cured of cancer. Therefore, we tried to demonstrate the efficacy of cardiac or pulmonary monitoring in early detection of the toxicity. In conclusion, now non-invasive and invasive standard methods of monitoring have yet to be convincingly established, because most methods are either of no predictive value or too sensitive. Moreover, to date an effective prophylaxis of cardiotoxicity or pulmonary toxicity is still lacking. Exact evaluation of risk factors and thorough cardiac or pulmonary monitoring are necessary in patients under chemotherapy.