The Association Between Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases: Insights After a Quarter of the Century

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past 25 years, growing evidence has revealed a strong association between cancer and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), giving rise to the field of cardio-oncology. Both conditions share common risk factors such as obesity, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and chronic inflammation. These overlapping mechanisms contribute to cellular damage through oxidative stress and immune dysregulation, promoting both atherosclerosis and tumor progression. Cancer treatments, particularly chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy, have been linked to increased cardiovascular complications, including heart failure and stroke. Studies show cancer survivors face a significantly higher long-term risk of CVD, with risks persisting years after treatment. This highlights the importance of monitoring cardiovascular health throughout and beyond cancer care. More recently, the concept of “reverse cardio-oncology” has emerged, focusing on how pre-existing heart conditions can influence cancer outcomes. Additionally, environmental factors like air pollution are recognized as shared contributors to both diseases. The convergence of these findings calls for a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. Coordinated strategies between oncologists and cardiologists are essential to manage overlapping risks and improve survivorship outcomes. Continued research is needed to clarify the biological links and guide integrated prevention and treatment strategies in this evolving field.

The aim of this Special Issue is to highlight recent advances in the context of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and the prediction of prognosis for various cardiovascular conditions among cancer survivors.

Dr. Tomer Ziv-Baran
Dr. Elena Izkhakov
Guest Editors

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