Which statement about cardiotoxicity risk in cancer treatment is accurate?

Which statement about cardiotoxicity risk in cancer treatment is accurate?

• A. Cardiotoxicity always causes heart attacks.
• B. Cardiotoxicity can reduce cardiac function.
• C. Cardiac function is never affected.
• D. Only radiotherapy affects the heart.

Answer: (B)

Cardiotoxicity risk in cancer treatment can present as a decline in the heart's pumping ability, often shown by a reduced ejection fraction or new heart failure symptoms. This can occur with several therapies: some chemotherapy drugs can cause dose-related damage to heart muscle; HER2-targeted therapies can impair cardiac function, sometimes reversibly; chest radiotherapy can lead to late-onset heart changes that reduce function over time. For many patients, the concern is reduced cardiac function rather than an immediate heart attack, though acute events can occur in rare cases. Because of this, the statement that cardiotoxicity can reduce cardiac function is accurate. The other options misstate the scope: cardiotoxicity does not always cause heart attacks; cardiac function can be affected; and radiotherapy is not the sole cause of cardiotoxicity.

Cardiotoxicity risk in cancer treatment can present as a decline in the heart's pumping ability, often shown by a reduced ejection fraction or new heart failure symptoms. This can occur with several therapies: some chemotherapy drugs can cause dose-related damage to heart muscle; HER2-targeted therapies can impair cardiac function, sometimes reversibly; chest radiotherapy can lead to late-onset heart changes that reduce function over time. For many patients, the concern is reduced cardiac function rather than an immediate heart attack, though acute events can occur in rare cases. Because of this, the statement that cardiotoxicity can reduce cardiac function is accurate. The other options misstate the scope: cardiotoxicity does not always cause heart attacks; cardiac function can be affected; and radiotherapy is not the sole cause of cardiotoxicity.