Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches for Heart Failure in Long-Term Survivors of Childhood Cancer

Biomedicines. 2024 Aug 16;12(8):1875. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines12081875.

Abstract

The improvement in survival rates in pediatric malignancies has led to an increase in the number of cancer survivors who are at risk of developing cardiotoxicity and heart failure. Cardiac dysfunction in these patients can occur asymptomatically, and the diagnosis in a symptomatic phase is associated with reduced treatment response and worse prognosis. For this reason, it is essential to establish protocols to follow up on these patients and identify those at risk of cardiotoxicity in order to start early and effective therapies. This review aims to summarize the latest findings in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer therapy-related cardiac disease in long-term survivors of childhood cancer, with a focus on heart failure.

Keywords: cardiotoxicity; childhood cancer; heart failure therapy; long-term survivors.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding. R. González-Manzanares holds a Río Hortega contract from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CM22/00259). Ainhoa Robles-Mezcua holds a Río Hortega contract from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CM23/00125).