RADIATION-INDUCED DAMAGE TO THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM AFTER RADIATION THERAPY IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Oncology
• Radiology

Background:

• Radiation therapy (RT) is crucial for postoperative breast cancer treatment.
• Long-term cardiac complications, including heart damage, are significant concerns following RT.
• The incidence of radiation-induced heart disease rises with time post-RT, affecting up to 30% of patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze long-term pathological changes in heart tissues of breast cancer patients treated with RT.
• To highlight the growing significance of RT-induced heart damage in the context of increasing cancer patient numbers.

Main Methods:

• Review of long-term studies on cardiac pathology in breast cancer patients post-RT.
• Analysis of data on the prevalence and types of heart damage after radiation exposure.

Main Results:

• RT affects all heart structures: coronary arteries, valves, conduction system, and pericardium.
• Clinically significant radiation-induced heart disease occurs in 10-30% of patients 5-10 years post-RT.
• Asymptomatic cardiac lesions are highly prevalent (88%), with latent periods up to 15-20 years.

Conclusions:

• Radiation therapy for breast cancer poses a significant long-term risk of cardiac pathology.
• Understanding these delayed effects is critical for improving quality of life and reducing cardiac mortality in survivors.
• Further research and monitoring are needed to mitigate RT-related heart damage.