Is there a recognised cardio-oncology group or society in your country?
France has a well-established and active cardio-oncology community, coordinated by the Cardio-Oncology Group of the French Society of Cardiology. The group plays a central role in promoting multidisciplinary collaboration, advancing education and research, and supporting the development of harmonised clinical practices across the country.
Clinical Practice
Cardio-oncology is a rapidly developing field in France, with specialised services increasingly structured around dedicated consultations within tertiary hospitals and comprehensive cancer centres. Patient care is often delivered through multidisciplinary collaboration involving cardiologists, oncologists, imaging specialists, pharmacologists, and other healthcare professionals.
Regional referral networks are gradually emerging to improve patient pathways, facilitate access to expertise, and strengthen coordination of care between institutions. These initiatives aim to ensure timely cardiovascular assessment, prevention, and management of treatment-related cardiovascular complications throughout the cancer care continuum.
Despite this progress, several challenges remain. Access to specialised cardio-oncology services is still heterogeneous across regions, resources may be limited, and implementation of ESC Cardio-Oncology Guidelines varies between centres. Key priorities for the future include strengthening national networks, increasing awareness among healthcare professionals, expanding training opportunities, and promoting harmonised clinical practices through guideline dissemination and collaborative research.
Education
Educational activities in cardio-oncology are strongly supported by the Cardio-Oncology Group of the French Society of Cardiology. One of the most important initiatives is the national inter-university diploma (DIU) in cardio-oncology, which provides structured training for cardiologists, oncologists, and allied specialists. This programme contributes to the development of a common knowledge base and supports the standardisation of clinical practice throughout France.
The group also organises the annual Cardio-Onco Congress, a national multidisciplinary meeting dedicated to cardio-oncology. The congress brings together healthcare professionals from various specialties and includes scientific sessions, practical workshops, and continuing professional development activities.
In addition, educational resources are available through the group's dedicated website, including webinars, literature updates, clinical cases, guideline summaries, and a national directory of experts. These initiatives contribute to the continuous development of expertise and facilitate the dissemination of best practices in cardio-oncology across the country.
Research
France is actively contributing to the advancement of cardio-oncology research through a wide range of national and international projects. Several multicentre studies are currently investigating cardiovascular complications associated with cancer therapies, particularly immunotherapy-related cardiotoxicity. Translational research programmes are also exploring novel mechanisms of cardiovascular toxicity and improving risk stratification, including emerging areas such as the cardiovascular effects of Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
French investigators are involved in major international collaborative initiatives, including the AFIB-Cancer Registry (NCT04696081). This prospective multicentre study examines the occurrence of major cardiovascular events in patients with active cancer and atrial fibrillation, addressing an important area of unmet clinical need.
National research efforts also focus on fluoropyrimidine-associated cardiotoxicity, particularly cardiovascular complications related to 5-fluorouracil treatment. These studies aim to improve understanding of underlying mechanisms, identify patients at risk, and optimise prevention and management strategies.
The Cardio-Oncology Group of the French Society of Cardiology is actively engaged in collaborative national and international research projects, including initiatives promoted by the European Society of Cardiology. Through these contributions, France continues to play an important role in strengthening the global evidence base and advancing the development of cardio-oncology as a multidisciplinary specialty.
