Prevention of coronary artery disease in cancer patients.
Improvements in cancer treatment are increasing survival rates, placing cancer survivors at increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Thoracic radiation as cancer therapy can accelerate the atherosclerotic process, and some older studies suggest that mediastinal radiation can increase the CAD risk two to fivefold. The management of serum lipids using diet and drugs is the cornerstone of efforts designed to reduce CAD events. The present article reviews the association between radiation and coronary disease and provides guidelines for the prevention of atherosclerotic CAD in this patient group and in the general population of cancer survivors.
Jurado
Javier
J
Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.
Thompson
Paul D
PD
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents