Cardio-Oncology

Middle-aged man and woman walking in a field Cancer survival rates continue to improve due to better treatment options. However, treatment could lead to negative side effects, including damage to your heart. Patients most susceptible to negative heart side effects include those at risk for heart disease prior to their cancer diagnosis.

Our cardio-oncology program works to prevent, monitor and treat cardiovascular disease in cancer survivors and patients to ensure long-term health.

Services

After being referred, you meet with one of our doctors for a comprehensive evaluation. Following the evaluation, our team will develop an individualized treatment plan for you.  

Treatment varies according to the type of heart condition you have, your progress, whether you have any other underlying conditions and whether you are currently being treated for cancer.

Our program brings together experts in radiology, oncology and cardiology to provide optimal cardiovascular care for you during and after treatment, including:

  • Risk assessment prior to cancer treatment
  • Care for patients with cancer who have existing cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, heart valve disease and arrhythmias
  • Monitor for cardiac complications during cancer therapy
  • Care for patients who have cardiac side effects from traditional cancer therapies
  • Assessment of cardiac risks related to new or changing cancer therapies
  • Assessment of long-term cardiac risk in cancer survivors
  • Evaluation of cardiac tumors

Leading-Edge Technology

OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute invested in state-of-the-art imaging technology for our cardio-oncology program to ensure our patients receive the best treatment possible.

Our technology includes:

  • Echocardiography - with 3-D imaging - provides a heart ultrasound
  • Cardiac computed tomography - uses an X-ray machine that moves around the body to take images of each part of the heart
  • Cardiac MRI - creates images of the heart and major blood vessels
  • Positron emission tomography - provides a 3-D image of functional processes in the body