Gender Differences in Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment of Cardiotoxicity in Cardio-Oncology

Abstract

Gender differences exist throughout the medical field and significant progress has been made in understanding the effects of gender in many aspects of healthcare. The field of cardio-oncology is diverse and dynamic with new oncologic and cardiovascular therapies approved each year; however, there is limited knowledge regarding the effects of gender within cardio-oncology, particularly the impact of gender on cardiotoxicities. The relationship between gender and cardio-oncology is unique in that gender likely affects not only the biological underpinnings of cancer susceptibility, but also the response to both oncologic and cardiovascular therapies. Furthermore, gender has significant socioeconomic and psychosocial implications which may impact cancer and cardiovascular risk factor profiles, cancer susceptibility, and the delivery of healthcare. In this review, we summarize the effects of gender on susceptibility of cancer, response to cardiovascular and cancer therapies, delivery of healthcare, and highlight the need for further gender specific studies regarding the cardiovascular effects of current and future oncological treatments.

Cardiotoxicity in Cancer Patients: The Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Cardioprotective Measures in a Cancer Centre in Saudi Arabia

“…A similar result of less importance on age and gender was mentioned by Kobat et al [ 13 ]. Other studies have found advanced age [ 14 ] and female sex [ 15 ] as risk factors for cardiotoxicities.…”

Cardio-Oncology for the Primary Care Provider

“…Risk factors predisposing patients to toxicity include genetic factors, female sex, cumulative dose, continuous infusions (as opposed to boluses), and combination therapy (Table 1) [28,31]. When treating patients undergoing therapy with anthracyclines, the PCP should monitor for cardiotoxicities with cardiac biomarkers (during therapy) and serial echocardiography (1, 3 or 5 years) for up to ten years [32].…”