"There is a close interaction between cancer treatment and heart diseases. Two modern and popular treatments of cancer, Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy, could damage patient's heart," said Dr. Arjun Ghosh, a Consultant Cardiologist of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK.  

 

"Chemotherapy could occur heart failure and increase the risk of heart damage, while Radiation Therapy could be responsible for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and fibrosis of heart," Dr. Ghosh added.

 

Talking about its prevention and management, the young cardiologist said, "Cancer treatment is completely an oncologist's job, a cardiologist never interferes in that. The patients, who are undergoing Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy, are being monitored continuously." 

 

"If doctors found any symptom of heart-attack in the patient, he/she is immediately referred to a general medicine specialist and cardiologist. In addition, we make a patient aware of cardiac problems, caused due to cancer treatment," Arjun Ghosh  said.

 

The third edition of Medicon International conference, jointly hosted by Peerless Hospital, B. K. Roy Foundation and Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, was held in Kolkata's Hyatt Regency hotel on Dec 17 and 18.