The emergence of a new specialty of oncocardiology

Advances in the field of oncology research and therapy have led to improved outcomes and survival in patients with cancer. Projections from the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) database have shown a decreasing cancer incidence, with increasing survival now and in the coming years.1 With increasing survivorship, the prevalence of cardiotoxicities has also increased.2 Therefore, primary and oncology providers are encountering uncharted territory in the management of cancer therapy-related toxicities in their oncology patients and survivors.2 It is the need to manage these complications that has led to the development and growth of the field of oncocardiology.2 ,3 This editorial seeks to briefly summarise important aspects of oncocardiology and emphasise the necessity in growing this field. The field of oncocardiology predominantly focuses on cardiotoxic effects of cancer therapy (chemotherapy, radiation therapy and/or targeted therapy). Cardiotoxicity related to cancer therapy not only involves the development of cardiomyopathy by way of reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) …