Carotid Artery Disease in Patients with Cancer

Stroke remains the leading cause of permanent disability. Embolic stroke due to severe carotid artery stenosis can be preventable. In this article, we review the management of carotid artery disease with particular focus in cancer patients. Carotid duplex ultrasonography is the screening modality of choice for the detection of cervical carotid artery disease. Surgical carotid endarterectomy remains the gold-standard therapy for all symptomatic patients with severe carotid artery stenosis. Carotid stenting is a minimally invasive alternative treatment for symptomatic patients deemed high-risk for carotid endarterectomy either due to medical or anatomical reasons. Head and neck cancer patients require special considerations due to higher incidence of carotid artery disease, particularly following the radiation treatment.