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Topic of the Month: Cardio-oncology

The first ESC Guidelines on cardio-oncology were recently presented at ESC Congress 2022. These Guidelines provide guidance on the definitions, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer therapy-related cardiovascular toxicity as well as the management of cardiovascular disease caused by cancer. The document aims to guide healthcare professionals in providing optimal care with respect to cardiovascular health to oncology patients before, during, and after cancer treatment. The document includes a total of 272 recommendations covering a broad spectrum of topics ranging from the definition of cancer treatment-related cardiovascular toxicity (CTR-CVT) to baseline cardiovascular toxicity risk assessment, cardiovascular surveillance during cancer treatment, management of acute CTR-CVT, to guidance for the first 12 months as well as longer-term follow-up after completion of cardiotoxic treatments, to special populations where cardiovascular disease is directly caused by cancer, to patient involvement in their care.

The content below aims to help you gain a better understanding of not only the new Guidelines but recommendations for clinical practice such as assessment, treatment, evidence, interaction with the patients and interactions with the specialist, long term management.



Guidelines

This section will provide a broad overview of the ESC cardio-oncology guidelines including some key areas of patient care, planning care monitoring of your patients, and an overview of cancer-related cardiotoxicity.

Evidence

General overview

Background knowledge for general cardiologists managing patients either about to undergo, undergoing or having been treated for cancer. 

Treatment

Common practical issues that you may face when managing patients undergoing treatment for cancer.

Interaction with patients

Presentations and webinars that will help support your daily practice, as well as develop you knowledge in the field.

Assessment

Risk stratification of patients is key for optimal patient management, both prior to treatment and after. Here you will find presentations regarding risk stratification and assessment of patients as well as how to assess and management those with active cancer.

Cardiovascular emergencies in the cancer patient

Cardiovascular emergencies occur in cancer patients. This section highlights how to address such emergencies.

Long-term management

Certain cancers and their treatment require specific knowledge regarding potential long-terms cardiovascular problems and post-treatment followup, including lymphoma, testicular cancer and breast cancer. These presentations provide insights on these, as well as cardiovascular care after cancer treatment in children as well as a webinar on organisation of a survivorship programme.

ESC Education Committee Contributors to this Topic of the Month

Prof-Beeri.jpg Ronen Beeri
ESC Education Committee member, ESC Academic Year lead coordinator
Ferrini-Marc-2020.JPG Marc Ferrini
ESC Council for Cardiology Practice
Susanna Price Photo 2019.jpgSusanna Price
ESC Education Committee Chair 
Koskinas_Konstantinos C_2020.jpg Konstantinos Koskinas  
EAPC Board Member, ESC Education Committee member 

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The content of this article reflects the personal opinion of the author/s and is not necessarily the official position of the European Society of Cardiology.