Cardiotoxicity from the cardiologist's perspective

Screening programs and contemporary multidisciplinary management of oncologic patients have resulted in lower mortality and improved outcomes. Nevertheless, treatment-related cardiac toxicity has been recognized as a major side effect, negatively affecting quality of life and prognosis in cancer survivors. Physicians involved in the care of these patients should be familiar with the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy on the heart, as well as the tests that may facilitate early diagnosis and prompt referral to cardiology units with expertise in the management of oncologic patients. This special report focuses on the mechanisms of cardiotoxicity and the techniques (including basic and advanced imaging and biomarkers) used in the cardiac evaluation of cancer patients.