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A top-20 nationally ranked cardiology and heart surgery program, and an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, UT Southwestern Medical Center is uniquely positioned to offer cancer patients access to one of the most advanced cardio-oncology programs in the country. Our multidisciplinary approach puts our patients first and helps improve patients’ overall outcomes.
A Video Visit is a safe and convenient way to get access to primary and specialty services at UT Southwestern while still receiving the same high-quality care you would receive in person.
Expertise and collaboration are vital in treating patients who have both heart disease and cancer. Cardiovascular diseases – whether preexisting conditions or those that develop during cancer treatment – can significantly affect a patient’s health and even lead to death.
UT Southwestern’s cardio-oncology team provides experienced, integrated care that is informed by the latest research. We collaborate frequently with specialists from other disciplines. Cardiologists, oncologists, hematologists, surgeons, and specially trained advanced practice providers work together to provide high-quality, coordinated care.
We also offer rehabilitation – a critical component of recovery that can prevent future heart disease – through our Oncology Rehabilitation Program.
Cardio-oncology is a new area within cardiology that is focused on heart and blood vessel disease in patients with cancer. Our goal is for patients to receive the best cancer treatment possible while protecting the heart from potential side effects of chemotherapy. Partnership with oncology is an essential component of cardio-oncology care.
We see cancer patients before, during, or after they receive treatment that – while beneficial for treating the cancer – might have a negative impact on the heart.
Cancer treatment can cause heart issues, such as:
In cardio-oncology, our goal is to support the effective cancer therapy by preventing damaging effects on the heart.
When a patient has a preexisting cardiac condition, we create a plan to treat the condition before the cancer treatment begins. Our aim is to prevent complications and improve the patient’s heart health so the cancer therapy will be as effective as possible.
Before a patient receives surgical or medical treatment for cancer, our team performs a thorough evaluation to determine the patient’s risk for developing cardiovascular disease and to create a plan to minimize potential complications.
When a patient has a preexisting cardiac condition, we create a plan to treat the condition before the cancer treatment begins. Our aim is to prevent complications and improve the patient’s heart health so the cancer therapy will be as effective as possible.
To assess heart health before treatment we might perform blood tests to check factors such as cholesterol levels, thyroid hormone levels, inflammatory markers, or cardiac enzyme levels, as well as dedicated cardiovascular imaging protocols.
To monitor patients during treatment, we use dedicated imaging protocols for early detection of cardiac problems.
Our Echocardiography (Echo) Lab is located within Simmons Cancer Center, offering patients the flexibility and convenience of comprehensive care under one roof. An echocardiogram uses high-frequency sound waves to create pictures of the heart.
Additional imaging might include:
Before a patient receives surgical or medical treatment for cancer, our team performs a thorough evaluation to determine the patient’s risk for developing cardiovascular disease and to create a plan to minimize potential complications.
Patients who have heart valve issues are referred to specialists in our cardiothoracic service. Patients with vascular issues such as coronary artery disease are referred to interventional cardiologists. Those who have heart rhythm issues are referred to our electrophysiologists.
After treatment, we monitor patients for potential heart complications with appropriate blood tests and imaging studies.
We take a preventive approach, working with patients to avoid cardiovascular issues from cancer therapies before they occur. Measures we take include:
Learn more about our Preventive Cardiology program that provides patients with personalized plans to prevent and treat heart diseases.
Our specialists work with patients at various points throughout their cancer treatment journey. We provide care for:
In some cases, damage caused by cancer therapies occurs many years after finishing cancer treatment. A cardio-oncologist can run tests on cancer survivors to check on heart health. A cardio-oncologist can also talk to you about ways to lower your risk of heart disease, given your cancer treatment history.
Many patients have regular cardiologists who they’ve known and trusted for years. In general, regular cardiologists are not familiar with new cancer treatments and their heart-related side effects. Additionally, it can be difficult for your cancer doctor to communicate with your regular cardiologist about time-sensitive medical questions if they are in separate medical systems.
Many patients see a cardio-oncologist while they are getting cancer treatment and then return to their regular cardiologists once cancer treatment is completed. This way, your cardio-oncologist can be sure that your heart is ready for cancer therapy and that any necessary heart-related precautions have been taken.
As one of the nation’s top academic medical centers, UT Southwestern offers a wide range of clinical trials aimed at improving the outcomes of patients who have any combination of cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Current clinical trials:
Additional clinical trials are being developed in collaboration with oncology and radiation oncology focused on machine learning assistive prediction modeling. Our goal is to use these models to predict how certain types of radiation can affect the future risk of a heart attack, heart failure, or stroke.
Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
Cancer Care at the Highest Level. Anywhere.
Our team of hundreds of leading cancer physicians and oncology-trained support staff is a trusted partner in returning patients with cancer to good health.
We have a wide range of clinical trials open to patients with all types and stages of cancer. Search for opportunities to participate in a cancer study.
We’re one of the world’s top academic medical centers, with a unique legacy of innovation in patient care and scientific discovery.
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