Foreword

Article Outline

• Copyright

This issue of Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases is devoted to cardiac disease in cancer patients.

For the past 2 decades, cancer therapy has become more sophisticated, resulting in an ever-expanding group of long-term cancer survivors. It has been increasingly recognized that the development of cardiac disease as a comorbid condition for cancer patients is not uncommon. Newer agents, many with antiangiogenic therapeutic intent, may profoundly impact cardiovascular function and become a major determinant of overall survival.

This awareness of the interrelationship between the cardiac disease and cancer has stimulated the development of a Cardiology Oncology Partnership for the past 4 years. As a result of this burgeoning partnership, a series of minisymposia, often linked to major cancer or cardiac meetings, and several multiday annual symposiums have been held covering many areas of this clinical overlap. Substantial support from the Lance Armstrong Foundation and other industry support permitted many of these events to take place.

This issue of Progress in Cardiovascular Disease was inspired by the very successful third International Symposium held September 25 to 26, 2009, in Milan, Italy, with an international faculty from major cardiac and cancer centers in the United States and Europe. Most of the manuscripts were derived from presentations at that meeting. In addition, the meeting celebrated the inauguration of the International Cardioncology Society, an international society responding to the need for cooperation between these medical disciplines.

The fourth international symposium will be held October 7 to 9, 2010, in Nashville, Tenn.