Cardiac Complications and Cardiotoxicity of Radiation Therapy

Dear Colleagues,

Radiation therapy improves locoregional tumor control and the overall survival of patients with solid tumors, such as breast, lung, and esophageal cancers, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Nevertheless, radiation therapy results in incidental radiation exposure of the heart, which increases the risk of cardiotoxicity. Although the benefits of radiation therapy far outweigh the risk of developing subsequent cardiovascular diseases, there is ongoing debate regarding the safest radiation dose, which cardiac substructures are most sensitive to radiotherapy, and the most appropriate strategies for prevention. This debate is complicated by the need to assess the effects of modern radiotherapy techniques and protocols in fast moving development (IMRT, VMAT, proton beam therapy, and adaptive radiotherapy), and the need to evaluate how the incidence of cardiovascular complications may vary according to patient risk factors and the synergistic effects of radiation with other cardiotoxic oncology treatments.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide an overview and new elements concerning the mentioned current debate on the cardiovascular complications and cardiotoxicity of radiation therapy. This could be covered by large epidemiological studies, clinical studies with advanced imaging and diagnostic techniques, and radiation dosimetry research, but also through radiobiological and mechanistic studies, as well as review articles.

Dr. Sophie Jacob
Prof. Dr. Carlo De Asmundis
Prof. Dr. Juliette Thariat
Guest Editors

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