Cardio-Oncology Program
Protecting your heart throughout the cancer journey
Advances in cancer treatment are allowing more people to survive cancer. Currently in the United States, two of every three people diagnosed with cancer survive at least five years, and the number of cancer survivors is more than 14 million strong.
Unfortunately, cancer treatment can sometimes worsen an existing heart problem or create a new one. This happens when a cancer drug or radiation therapy causes unintended harm to the heart or blood vessels.
Side effects from cancer treatment can lead to heart failure, valve disease, heart attack, dangerously unsafe blood pressure levels, or other problems. These problems may develop during, soon after, or years following cancer treatment.
To address these concerns, Lankenau Heart Institute cardiologists with expertise in cancer-related heart problems are working with oncology colleagues across Main Line Health to coordinate cancer treatment with heart care. This specialized area of heart care, called cardio-oncology, is a new field that has emerged as a result of growing awareness of the possible heart complications of cancer treatment. Our cardio-oncology specialists and services are available at locations throughout the suburbs of Philadelphia.
What’s important to know is that many of the adverse effects of cancer treatment on the heart, although unintended, can be anticipated and therefore monitored, managed or avoided altogether.
Why choose Lankenau Heart Institute for cardio-oncology care
The Main Line Health Cardio-Oncology Program is devoted to protecting heart health after a cancer diagnosis. The cardio-oncology team keeps pace with advances in the field, integrating the latest techniques and strategies for identifying, preventing, and managing heart complications in patients undergoing cancer treatment or being followed in cancer surveillance programs.
Our goal is to:
- Reduce the risk of heart damage in patients who have heart problems prior to cancer treatment
- Monitor for heart damage in patients receiving potentially harmful cancer treatments
- Promptly treat heart problems related to cancer treatments to allow completion of cancer therapy
- Detect and treat heart problems in cancer survivors who received potentially harmful cancer treatments
Who can benefit from cardio-oncology care
Cancer affects people differently, and treatments vary significantly from person to person. Not everyone will need specialized heart care. Cardio-oncology care can benefit:
- People diagnosed with cancer who have or are at risk for heart problems and need treatment that may pose a risk to their heart or blood pressure
- People who develop new heart problems during cancer treatment
- Cancer survivors who previously received cancer treatment that may pose a risk to their heart or blood pressure
Cardiovascular clinical trials at Main Line Health
Main Line Health uses clinical trials to help prevent, diagnose and treat the full range of heart and aortic conditions. Learn more about the cardiovascular clinical trials currently being offered by our renowned cardiologists and heart and aortic surgeons.