Pericardial Disease, Constrictive Pericarditis and Restrictive Cardiomyopathy in Patients with Cancer

Pericardial disease, specifically acute pericarditis, constrictive pericarditis, and pericardial tamponade, are seen in cancer patients due to the malignant process or from radiation therapy. In this chapter we present an overview of acute pericarditis, constrictive pericarditis and pericardial tamponade. We also discuss restrictive cardiomyopathy and its differences from constrictive pericarditis.