title: Cardiovascular effects of radiotherapy on the patient with cancer.
abstract: The incidence of cancer (CA) has increased globally and radiotherapy (RT) is a vital component in its treatment. Cardiovascular injuries induced by RT in the treatment of thoracic and cervical CA have been causing problems in clinical practice for decades, and are among the most serious adverse effects of radiation experienced by the growing number of cancer survivors. This article presentes a review on the Lilacs, Scielo and Pubmed databases of the main cardiovascular injuries, their mechanisms, clinical presentations, treatments and prevention proposals. Injuries caused by RT include diseases of the pericardium, coronary artery disease, valvular disease, myocardial disease with systolic and diastolic dysfunction, conduction disorders, and carotid artery and great vessels disease. Thoracic and cervical irradiation increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite the great progress in the improvement of RT techniques, totally excluding prime areas of the cardiovascular system from the irradiation field is not yet possible. Guidelines must be created for monitoring, diagnosis and treatment of patients with CA treated with RT.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leonardo Augusto Robert
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, UFF, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo Nani
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, UFF, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mario Luiz
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Medical School, UFF, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Wolney de Andrade
authors.initials: Wde A
authors.lastname: Martins
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors