Cardio Oncology Program
Cardio Oncology Program: The National Jewish Health Cardio-Oncology Program helps Prevent and treat heart disease resulting from cancer treatment.The American Cancer Society predicts that doctors will diagnose nearly 2 million new cases of cancer this year.
More effective treatments developed over the last 30 years have increased cancer survival rates, but can damage the heart and the whole cardiovascular system.
Cardio oncologists manage the heart health of patients before, during, and after cancer treatment. Their goals include preventing and possibly reversing heart-related side effects of cancer therapies in this relatively new medical specialty.
A cardio oncologist is a cardiologist or oncologist with additional training in the specific heart related drug effects of cancer treatment. Damage to the heart muscle caused by some cancer treatments is called cardio toxicity or toxicity in the heart. As a result, the heart is weaker and may
notwork as well as it did before. Damage to the heart related risk of death. Prevention and early detection of cardio toxicity are important.
Cardio Oncology at National Jewish Health
The National Jewish Health Cardio Oncology Program provides evaluation and treatment to prevent and limit potential damage to the heart from chemotherapy and radiation treatment.The program is led by Chris Fine, MD. Dr. Fine is fellowship trained and board cardio oncology. He is one of the few board certified cardio oncologists in the US.
Our cardio oncology team works with each patient’s existing care team to co manage planning and treatment to ensure the best
possible cancer care, the lowest impact on heart health and the best communication between providers and patients. The National
Jewish Health cardio oncology team treats cardio toxicity in patients with solid tumors in cancers of the lungs, head and neck, stomach and GI tract.
National Jewish Health uses a multi specialty approach to care. This team approach allows multiple specialists to work together to diagnose cardio toxicity, develop treatment plans and solve issues the arise.
- Comprehensive evaluation for cardio toxic risk
- Multidisciplinary approach cardiologists, oncologists and other specialists working together
- Comprehensive care including rehabilitation services, nutrition counseling
- Access to advanced testing (one of the few hospitals nationwide to offer cardiopulmonary exercise testing)
- Individualized treatment
Cardio Oncology Evaluation
National Jewish Health offers the latest in diagnostic testing to detect early signs of cardiac side effects from cancer treatment before significant complications develop.
Cardio Oncology Program: National Jewish Health offers the latest in diagnostic testing to detect early significant complications develop.
Evaluation is tailored to each patient’s needs and may include:
- Risk assessment
- Risk based diagnostic evaluation
- Initiation of cardio protective strategies
- Surveillance
- Minimizing risk of cancer treatment interruption
- Treating cardio-toxicities after development and working with the oncology team to identify alternative treatments if needed.
Diagnostic Tests
lead to a change in treatment plan. A cardio oncologist may prescribe medication to protect the heart. Diagnostic Tests Can Include:
- Echo cardiogram (Echo) – this ultrasound of the heart gives a comprehensive evaluation of cardiac structures and blood flows through those structures.
- When performed at the beginning of cancer treatment and at different times during cancer treatments this test can evaluate different changes that could
- lead to a change in treatment plan. A cardio oncologist may prescribe medication to protect the heart.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG) – records the heart’s electrical signal and can indicate changes in the heartbeat.
- Blood tests – to measure the level of proteins in the blood and risk of heart disease.
Conclusion
Cardio Oncology Program: The cardio oncologist will review your test results and decide if you need cardio oncology treatment to protect your heart.Very often, cardiovascular function improves once the cancer treatment is done. A personalized treatment will be developed for you that may include medication, cardiac rehabilitation and nutrition counseling, among others.
Doctors use common medications such as aspirin, stains, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, and diuretics to protect the heart during cancer treatment.