STUDYING THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER TREATMENTS ON THE CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH OF SURVIVORS

Abstract

Childhood cancer treatment has made significant advances in recent decades, substantially increasing survival rates. However, survivors face long-term health challenges, including cardiovascular complications from aggressive therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Recent studies investigate the adverse effects of these interventions on cardiovascular health, highlighting the importance of understanding the underlying mechanisms and identifying early and preventive management strategies. Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to synthesize up-to-date evidence on the long-term effects of childhood cancer treatments on the cardiovascular health of survivors. Methodology: The systematic review was carried out according to the PRISMA checklist. The PubMed, Scielo and Web of Science databases were used to identify studies published in the last 10 years. The descriptors used were "childhood cancer", "long-term effects", "cardiovascular health", "survivors", and "treatment outcomes". Inclusion criteria included studies that investigated childhood cancer survivors, focusing on post-treatment cardiovascular effects. Exclusion criteria were studies with non-representative samples or that did not specifically address cardiovascular effects. Results: Analysis of the selected studies revealed that childhood cancer survivors often have a higher incidence of cardiovascular conditions, such as ventricular dysfunction, early coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. Risk factors include age at diagnosis, type and intensity of treatment received. Early interventions and monitoring programs have shown potential to mitigate these adverse effects. Conclusion: In summary, childhood cancer survivors face high risks of cardiovascular problems resulting from treatments received in childhood. Early identification and appropriate management of these complications are crucial to improving the quality of life and long-term health of these individuals. Future investigations should emphasize personalized preventive and therapeutic strategies to minimize negative impacts on the cardiovascular health of childhood cancer survivors.