LONG-TERM CARDIOVASCULAR ASSESSMENT IN PEDIATRIC CANCER SURVIVORS: IMPLICATIONS FOR ONCOLOGY AND CARDIOLOGY

Abstract

The survival rate of children diagnosed with cancer has increased significantly in recent decades, thanks to advances in pediatric oncology. However, this achievement is accompanied by challenges related to late effects of treatment, including cardiac toxicity. Pediatric cancer survivors face increased risk of cardiovascular complications due to exposure to cardiotoxic therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Therefore, long-term cardiovascular assessment is essential to identify these complications early, allowing for appropriate preventive and therapeutic interventions. Objective: This study aims to perform a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the available evidence on long-term cardiovascular assessment in pediatric cancer survivors, highlighting its implications for the areas of oncology and cardiology. Methodology: The review was conducted according to the PRISMA checklist. The PubMed, Scielo and Web of Science databases were searched for articles published in the last 10 years. The descriptors used were "cancer survivor", "pediatric cancer", "cardiovascular evaluation", "long-term effects" and "oncology cardiology implications". Inclusion criteria were original studies that investigated cardiovascular assessment in pediatric cancer survivors, while exclusion criteria were duplicate studies, reviews and studies without access to the full text. Results: Analysis of the articles revealed that pediatric cancer survivors frequently present cardiovascular changes, such as ventricular dysfunction, coronary artery disease and arrhythmias, associated with previous exposure to oncological treatment. Furthermore, gaps were identified in the cardiovascular monitoring of these patients, highlighting the importance of specific guidelines for their long-term monitoring. Conclusion: Long-term cardiovascular assessment in pediatric cancer survivors is crucial to identify and manage cardiovascular complications related to cancer treatment. Integration between oncology and cardiology is essential to provide comprehensive care and improve health outcomes for these patients.