What is Cardio-Oncology?
Cardio-Oncology is a focused medical discipline devoted to preventing and protecting the hearts of patients with cancer before, during and after cancer therapy.
Why is Cardio-Oncology Needed?
Many cancer treatments are known to potentially contribute to heart disease.
- Patients with cancer have a two-to-six times higher risk for cardiovascular death than the general population.
- Up to 30-40 percent of patients receiving cancer therapy will have cardiovascular complications.
- Some of these cardiovascular complications may not be apparent until ten or more years after cancer treatment.
What type of patients are seen by Cardio-Oncologists?
- Patients prior to cancer therapy who may be at high risk for treatment related complications (surgery, chemotherapy, targeted or immunotherapy and/or radiation)
- Patients currently undergoing any cancer treatment known to be associated with cardiovascular toxicity (including oral or intravenous chemotherapy and/or radiation)
- Patients who have previously been treated for cancer
The benefits of Cardio-Oncology
- Optimal management of cardiac disease throughout cancer treatment
- Enhanced communication between Hematology/Oncology and Cardiology as the provider team works together to provide the best possible cancer care
- Personalized treatment plans to eliminate cardiovascular disease as a barrier to effective cancer care
- Reduction of cancer treatment delays
Cardio-Oncology at Cape Cardiology Group
Daniel J. Lenihan, MD, FACC, is board certified in Cardio-Oncology from the International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS) and Cardiology and Advanced Heart Failure from the American Board of Internal Medicine. Lenihan is an experienced cardiologist specializing in Cardio-Oncology, heart failure and amyloidosis. He has previously held the positions leading Cardio-Oncology Centers of Excellence at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University and Washington University in St. Louis. He is the founder and immediate past president of IC-OS.
