Is there a recognised cardio-oncology group or society in your country?
Greece has a well-established cardio-oncology community, supported by a national Cardio-Oncology Clinics Network and a growing number of healthcare professionals dedicated to the cardiovascular care of patients with cancer. Over the past decade, the field has expanded considerably, with increasing integration of clinical services, educational initiatives, and research activities across the country.
Clinical Practice
Cardio-oncology in Greece has developed rapidly during the last ten years, leading to the creation of a national network comprising 27 dedicated cardio-oncology clinics. These units operate within tertiary hospitals and cancer centres, providing structured cardiovascular assessment, surveillance, and management for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Multidisciplinary collaboration is a key feature of clinical practice, bringing together cardiologists, oncologists, haematologists, and allied healthcare professionals to support comprehensive patient care. In addition, the first long-term survivorship clinic was established in Athens two years ago, representing an important step towards the long-term follow-up and management of cancer survivors with cardiovascular concerns.
Despite this significant progress, several challenges remain. These include limited integration between cardio-oncology services and oncology or haematology departments, insufficient formal training opportunities for cardiology residents, and variable implementation of ESC Cardio-Oncology Guidelines in routine practice. Addressing these challenges will require stronger multidisciplinary pathways, improved referral systems, expanded educational opportunities, and broader dissemination of guideline-based care supported by institutional commitment and adequate resources.
Education
Cardio-oncology education has expanded substantially in Greece in response to the growing demand for specialised expertise in the field. Two postgraduate programmes currently provide structured academic training in cardio-oncology, while also supporting research and professional development.
Dedicated cardio-oncology sessions are now regularly included in major national cardiology meetings, including congresses organised by the Hellenic Society of Cardiology. These activities contribute to continuing medical education and facilitate the dissemination of emerging evidence and best practices.
Educational opportunities for cardiology residents have also increased, with specialised cardio-oncology modules being incorporated into training programmes organised by the Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Although formally accredited fellowships remain limited, several established cardio-oncology clinics offer informal clinical training experiences, enabling participants to gain practical exposure to multidisciplinary patient management.
Furthermore, webinars, workshops, and joint educational initiatives organised in collaboration with oncology and haematology societies are frequently conducted at a national level, fostering interdisciplinary learning and cooperation. While considerable progress has been achieved, the development of standardised training pathways and formal recognition of cardio-oncology as a subspecialty remain important priorities for the future.
Research
Research activity in cardio-oncology has grown steadily in Greece, with increasing participation in both national and international scientific initiatives. A major research effort includes a six-year prospective registry of patients at high risk of cardiotoxicity, providing valuable real-world data on cardiovascular outcomes, risk stratification, and management strategies.
In addition, disease-specific registries, particularly among breast cancer populations, have been developed to improve understanding of treatment-related cardiovascular complications and survivorship issues. National surveys have also been conducted to evaluate the implementation of the 2022 ESC Cardio-Oncology Guidelines, identifying gaps between guideline recommendations and routine clinical practice.
Cardio-oncology research is increasingly integrated into broader cardiovascular programmes through collaborations with experts in valvular heart disease, electrophysiology, heart failure, and cardiac surgery. These multidisciplinary partnerships reflect the evolving nature of the field and support a more comprehensive approach to patient care.
Ongoing research priorities include expanding registry-based data collection, strengthening international collaborations, and advancing both translational and clinical research. Particular emphasis is being placed on improving risk prediction, enhancing the early detection of cardiotoxicity, and optimising patient-centred care pathways for individuals with cancer.
