Effect Of Post - Operative Radiotherapy & Antliracycline - Containing Chemotherapy On The Cardiopulmonary Functions In Patients With Breast Cancer

Abstract

The natural history of breast cancer is characterized by long duration and heterogenity within and among patients. Data collected up to 1998 indicate that the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is 12.2% or 1 in 8 women (Hankey et al, 1998). Breast cancer is among the more slow growing tumors, and the preclinical period before diagnosis and the clinical phases after initial treatment and even after the appearance of metastasis are measured in years or decades (Harries et aL, 1993).

Radiation and chemotherapy may affect the cardiac and pulmonary functions. Anthracycline - induced cardiomyopathy is the result of repeated chemical injuries to the myocardium that gradually overcome cellular defences and eventually induce cell damage with decreased contractiljty. Anthracycline cardiomyopathy has been described as having

• three clinical presentation: acute, subacute and late. The acute toxicity presents as a myopericarditis.