Long-term effects of anthracycline chemotherapy on the heart?

Page last modified on: January 5, 2010

Question from ElsieBruin: Was there anything reported about the long-term effects of chemotherapy on the heart? If we had an anthracycline in the past, what precautions should we take to ensure heart health?: Answer —Kathy Miller, M.D.: No new long-term studies of women treated with anthracyclines were reported. We do know that in women who received an anthracycline after the age of 50, there is an increase in the likelihood of developing heart problems, although the increase was small. We don't have as much information about women who were treated with anthracyclines when they were younger. I think women should know that age is a factor in side effects from anthracyclines, and it is important for them to reduce factors that are in their control, like reducing fat in the diet, maintaining a healthy body weight, aggressively treating diabetes and high blood pressure, and avoiding smoking.

On Tuesday, December 15, 2009, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from the 2009 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Kathy Miller, M.D. and Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S. answered your questions about the latest updates on breast cancer risk, screening techniques, treatment options, and more.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Email Updates

Stay informed about current research, online events, and more.

Meet the Experts

Kathy D. Miller, M.D. is associate professor of medical oncology at Indiana University, and a Sheila D. Ward Scholar.

Kristin Brill, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a breast surgeon and clinical instructor at the Thomas Jefferson University Department of Surgery in Philadelphia, PA. She also maintains a practice in Cherry Hill, N.J. Dr. Brill is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In addition, she has published breast cancer research in medical journals such as Annals of Plastic Surgery and Cancer, and she has presented research at the American Society of Clinical Oncology.