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Tests and Treatments

Heart problems

Sometimes chemotherapy and radiotherapy can damage the heart.
  • This could happen if you've had radiotherapy to your chest or upper back - for example, for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma or a spinal tumour.
  • Another chemotherapy drug called doxorubicin can temporarily change the rhythm of the heartbeat.

In most people this will go back to normal after treatment, but with high doses or repeated treatments of doxorubicin there is a small risk of long term heart damage.

  • Remember, this doesn't happen to everyone – it depends on the treatment that you've had.

If your doctors think you might be at risk of this, they will tell you and you'll have regular checks with echocardiograms (heart ultrasound) and lung function tests.

 

 

Last updated 12 October 2011
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