Cardio-Oncology Clinic
In recent years, it is said that one in two Japanese men and women will develop cancer. On the other hand, with advancements in cancer treatment, especially chemotherapy, the prognosis for cancer patients has significantly improved. However, some anti-cancer drugs can have side effects that damage the heart and blood vessels.
For example, anthracycline-based chemotherapy drugs, which have long been used for many cancers and lymphomas, and trastuzumab, used in breast cancer treatment, can potentially weaken the heart’s contractile strength. Additionally, nivolumab, which has come to be used for various cancers, is known to have a side effect of causing myocarditis by abnormally activating immune function. Other known side effects of anti-cancer drugs include hypertension, myocardial infarction, and arrhythmias.
Cancer treatment specialists naturally use chemotherapy drugs while being cautious of these side effects, but still, some patients may develop heart failure due to the aforementioned side effects.
It is also said that as cancer patients age, they become more susceptible to atherosclerotic diseases and heart failure.
At the Cardio-Oncology Outpatient Clinic, in cooperation with cancer treatment specialists, we evaluate whether damage to the heart and blood vessels occurs due to chemotherapy side effects. This is done from the initial stages of chemotherapy use through echocardiography, blood tests, cardiac MRI, and other methods. If damage begins to appear, we provide additional drug treatment to continue chemotherapy while suppressing the damage as much as possible.
For cancer patients who already have cardiovascular diseases, we provide lifestyle guidance and treatment advice to ensure they can maintain their daily lives without worsening their condition.
The purpose of this outpatient clinic is to work in collaboration with cancer treatment physicians to ensure that cancer patients can receive adequate cancer treatment and not have their lives endangered by cardiovascular diseases after treatment. If you are a patient receiving or about to receive cancer treatment and are concerned about side effects or cardiovascular diseases, please feel free to consult with us.
