Dr. Muss on Cardiac Function in Breast Cancer Patients

Hyman B. Muss, MD, professor of oncology, University of North Carolina, director, Geriatric Oncology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses maximizing cardiac function in patients with breast cancer.

Muss says oncologists are aware of cardiac toxicity from their experience with anthracyclines. With the advent of anti-HER2 therapy, oncologists now have a larger group of issues related to cardiac toxicity and research has been conducted on the prevention of such toxicities. Studies involving the use of preventative beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors in patients who have a high risk of cardiac disease have demonstrated promise.

Muss believes that oncologists need to be aware of cardiac toxicities in patients taking anti-HER2 therapy and should work proactively with cardiologists to treat patients appropriately.