The Role of Cardio-Oncology in the Interprofessional Care of Adult Patients Receiving Cancer Therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the toxic effects of therapy to the structure and function of the cardiovascular system and the role of the cardio-oncology team in the interprofessional care of adult patients, including current approaches, research findings, and future endeavors DATA SOURCE: Published articles and international cardiology and oncology association guidance documents.

CONCLUSION: Although a new field of study, cardio-oncology is a rapidly expanding area of great clinical need. Evidence is only now accumulating, with most guidelines based on opinion or extrapolated from cardiovascular literature. Oncology care providers face complex decisions on a daily basis, whether before, during, or following definitive cancer treatments.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: In the era of both traditional and targeted cancer therapies, the long-term side effects to the cardiovascular system and, consequently, the needs of cancer survivors are increasingly complex. Accordingly, oncology nurses must not only be aware of such potential effects, but should conduct careful serial symptom review and consider risk-reduction and cancer rehabilitation strategies across the disease trajectory.