Published online Jun 26, 2019. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v7.i12.1492
Peer-review started: February 11, 2019
First decision: March 9, 2019
Revised: April 24, 2019
Accepted: May 2, 2019
Article in press: May 2, 2019
Published online: June 26, 2019
Cardiovascular side effects occur frequently during anti-cancer treatment, and there is a growing concern that they may lead to premature morbidity and death.
A 32-year-old woman was diagnosed with breast cancer. After comprehensive treatment with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgery, postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy, and endocrine therapy, her breast cancer was cured. However, heart failure associated with anti-cancer treatment presented, most probably related to chemotherapy containing anthracycline. After active treatment, her cardiac function returned to normal. Unfortunately, follow-up visits revealed a second primary malignancy, lymphoma. After multiple courses of chemotherapy combined with targeted therapy, her lymphoma acquired complete remission and no cardiotoxicity was observed again. Heart failure related to breast treatment may be reversible.
Using alternatives to anthracycline in patients with lymphoma who are at risk of cardiac failure may preserve cardiac function.
Core tip: Anti-cancer treatment is frequently associated with the development of cardiovascular side effects. A 32-year-old woman diagnosed and treated for breast cancer was cured after comprehensive treatment. Unfortunately, the patient later presented with heart failure associated with anti-cancer treatment involving the use of anthracycline. Her cardiac function returned to normal after active treatment but a second primary malignancy, lymphoma, was detected in subsequent visits. Following multiple courses of chemotherapy combined with targeted therapy, there was complete remission of the acquired lymphoma with no re-occurrence of cardiotoxicity. Thus, heart failure related to breast cancer treatment may be reversible. Furthermore, anthracycline should be avoided in patients at risk of cardiac failure having lymphoma to preserve cardiac function.