What is cardio-oncology?
Over the past two decades, immunotherapy drugs that modulate the immune system have demonstrated significant efficacy in treating cancer. However, this progress has been accompanied by a growing recognition of the cardiovascular risks associated with certain cancer therapies, which may damage the heart or increase the likelihood of heart disease. At the Ross Heart Hospital, our objective is to mitigate or eliminate these risks as patients undergo cancer treatment.
The multidisciplinary cardio-oncology team includes specialists from Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) and the Ohio State Heart and Vascular Center who come together to provide care for heart failure through services like electrophysiology and cardiac imaging.
Our approach
By working together, our physicians at the OSUCCC – James and the Ross Heart Hospital created a holistic approach to caring for patients with cancer before, during and after treatments that improves the patient’s quality of life.
Our program combines exercise, calming activities and other therapies to address heart-related issues that sometimes result from cancer treatments. The cardio therapies are personalized for each patient, and promote improved physical and mental health.
The key to a patient’s success is collaboration among oncologists, cardiologists and patients.