Childhood Cancer Linked to Increased Heart Risk

Children who undergo cancer treatment put their hearts at risk, resulting in an increased possibility of developing early heart disease, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013.

Donald R. Dengel, PhD, FAHA, FASCM, of the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis and his colleagues studied the brachial artery structure - the artery stiffness, thickness and function - of 319 childhood cancer survivors who had received their diagnosis at least 5 before and compared them with a control group of 208 healthy siblings.

Cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death among U.S. children, but the rate of survival has increased significantly from a 5-year survival rate of 58.1 percent in 1975-77 to 83.1 percent in 2003-09.

"Research has shown childhood cancer survivors face heart and other health problems decades after treatment," said Dr. Dengel.. "But researchers had not - until now - looked at the heart health effects of childhood cancer treatment while survivors are still children."

The study noted that premature heart disease, as demonstrated by a decline in arterial function, was more likely among the children who survived cancer.

"Given this increased risk, children who survive cancer should make lifestyle changes to lower their cardiovascular risk," Dengel said. "Healthcare providers who are managing chemotherapy-treated childhood cancer survivors need to monitor cardiovascular risk factors immediately following the completion of their patients' cancer therapy."

Dengel note that the majority of the children in the study were white so it does not offer a comprehensive look at the effects.