Late Effects
Late Effects:
Heart Problems (Cardiotoxicity)
The use of doxorubicin during chemotherapy may put you at an increased risk for heart disease. A concern is that the majority of people with cardiotoxicity tend to not show symptoms. Even so you should be on the look out for easy tiring, shortness of breath, lack of energy, swelling of legs/ankles, sustained heart palpitations, chest pains, or fainting. Currently the total dose of doxorubicin used for the treatment of osteosarcoma is about 450 mg/m2. With this amount of doxorubicin about 5-20% of people will develop some heart disease. You should have periodic cardiac evaluation by means of echocardiogram and EKG.
This is especially true if you are a female considering having a child and for anyone starting vigorous exercise activities such as weight-lifting and isometric exercise.
Factors that increase the risks of heart disease in general and should be minimized are:
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Obesity
- Lack of exercise
- Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol or triglycerides)
- Diabetes
Osteosarcoma Online > Information for Patients > After Treatment > Late Effects > Heart Problems (Cardiotoxicity)
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