Cardiac side effects of conventional and particle radiotherapy in cancer patients.

Radiation therapy, which has become an integral part of modern treatment strategies for many types of cancer in recent decades, is associated with the risk of long-term adverse effects. Particularly in the case of patients with a good prognosis as a result of these modern treatment modalities, avoiding therapy-related side effects plays an increasingly important role. Of these side effects, cardiac complications are particularly relevant since they not only adversely affect quality of life but can also be potentially life-threatening. This review summarizes and critically analyzes the available evidence on the impact of ionizing irradiation on the cardiovascular system. The paper presents an overview of the current knowledge on epidemiological evidence, clinical presentation and risk factors of radiation-induced cardiovascular disease. Additionally, mechanisms of development of this type of complication and strategies for screening, treatment, and avoiding cardiac complications are discussed.