Cardio-oncology is a quickly growing field in cardiovascular medicine. It came from the need to care for the growing number of people with chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy.
Today, cardio-oncology cares for the hearts of people with cancer and people who’ve finished cancer treatment. Thanks to treatments like radiation, chemotherapy and other drugs, many live full lives with and after cancer. But some of these treatments—especially earlier versions—can damage the heart.
Cardio-oncology brings together heart and cancer expertise to better care for these patients. Doctors with expertise in both cancer and heart care are called cardio-oncologists.
Cardio-Oncology: Who We Treat
We treat many people with breast cancer and lymphoma. These cancers often require treatments that may harm the heart and lead to heart failure. Rarely, certain immunotherapies may also cause serious cardiovascular complications as well.
We provide specialized care for people:
- Before or during cancer treatment that could affect the heart
- Who have cancer and either have heart disease or are at risk of developing it
- Whose hearts may have been affected by previous cancer treatments
Cardio-Oncology: Why Choose Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health?
Since 2018, our cardio-oncologists have helped hundreds of people living with cancer. As the one of the only cardio-oncology programs in the Lancaster region, we offer specialized care near where you live and work.
We also offer:
- Leaders in cardio-oncology: Because cardio-oncology is so new, doctors are still studying the most effective ways to handle cancer-related heart complications. Our cardio-oncologists are at the forefront of this process. We have created effective strategies, policies and protocols to deliver a consistently high level of evidence-based care. Doctors across the Penn Medicine health system also follow these treatment methods to provide better outcomes.
- Team-based approach: Our cardio-oncologists work closely with cardio-oncologists in the Penn Cardio-Oncology Program in Philadelphia. Many of these cardio-oncologists are pioneers in the field, improving patient care through new discoveries and research. Cardio-oncologists from Lancaster and Philadelphia regularly meet to collaborate on treatment plans and complex cases.
- Timely care: Timing matters, especially in cancer care. To deliver more efficient and effective care, we work closely with your oncologist. And when you need to make treatment decisions, we offer flexible and same-day appointment scheduling, so you’re seen quickly. You can also get same-day echocardiograms right next to the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute for your convenience.
- Complete care: We care for the full spectrum of heart problems, from routine to complex. We offer coordinated care from internationally recognized doctors and nurse practitioners in 18 specialty heart clinics. Each clinic offers unique expertise in a specific cardiovascular condition or treatment. You also have early access to the newest cardiovascular therapies through heart and vascular clinical trials and research.
- Early detection: Early detection makes treatments more effective. Our top-of-the-line echocardiography machines are equipped with strain imaging technology. Strain imaging produces higher quality 3D images that help us detect chemotherapy-related heart problems sooner.
How Chemo and Other Cancer Treatments Affect the Heart
Decades ago, we were able to effectively treat certain cancers with chemotherapy and radiation. But as these patients grew older, some went on to develop heart disease, heart failure or valve problems as a result of cancer treatment—sometimes decades later.
Very rarely, immunotherapy and checkpoint inhibitors can affect the heart more quickly, causing inflammation. This inflammation can lead to sudden heart failure and cardiogenic shock. Immunotherapies can also cause heart rhythm problems.
Cardio-oncology enables us to identify chemo’s effects on the heart and other problems earlier. And we can fix them with the right treatments. Learn about the care we provide:
Cardio-Oncology Treatments
Heart complications from cardiotoxic chemotherapy are often reversible. To help improve your heart function and help you continue cancer treatment, we:
- Regularly monitor heart function: We check your heart rhythm and function using Holter and event monitors, echocardiograms and cardiac MRIs. We can also check for tumor growth near or around the heart.
- Prescribe cardiovascular drug therapy: Using heart failure medications, immunosuppressants and high-dose steroids, we can prevent and reverse complications from cardiotoxic chemotherapy and other cancer treatments.
Our Cardio-Oncology Program: What to Expect
We offer specialized heart care for people with cancer at our Heart Group outpatient clinic at Harrisburg Ave – Lancaster City or in Lancaster General Hospital. Our goal is to see you before you start cancer treatment, especially if you have risk factors for:
- Heart disease
- Developing a cardiovascular problem from any type of treatment, such as cardiovascular toxic chemotherapy
Seeing you before cancer treatment helps us prevent cancer-related heart damage. Our electronic medical record system makes this possible. If you see a Penn Medicine oncologist, the system flags your record so you can get a referral. Learn more about cancer care at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health.
If you develop a heart complication during or after cancer treatment, your oncologist can also refer you into our program.
Contact Us
To learn more our Cardio-Oncology Program, call 717-544-5941.