Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity: Is there a role for myocardial ¹²³I-mIBG scintigraphy?

Excerpt

In general, it is safe to claim that advances in treatment of cancer have led to improved survival of patients.1,2 However, this success does not go without collateral damage. The increased survival is in part counterbalanced by side effects of the treatment, both acute and late, sometimes leading to increased morbidity and even increased mortality. This means that although patients are more likely to survive their cancer, they are more likely to be confronted with the late side effects of the treatment. In case of lymphoma patients, this is illustrated by the fact that as a result of the advances in treatment cure rates have improved survival. This in combination with the globally increased incidence of malignant lymphoma, causes the lymphoma survivor population to grow. As the diagnosis in lymphoma patients is often made at a relative young age (late) side effects of the treatment are of concern.3,4 Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the most frequent of these side effects, and there is a growing concern that they may lead to premature morbidity and death among cancer survivors.5 This may be the result of cardiotoxicity, which involves direct effects of the cancer treatment on heart function and structure, or may be due to accelerated development of CVD, especially in the presence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.6 …