Cardio-Oncology Program
More people are living longer after a cancer diagnosis than at any time
in the past thanks, in part, to new therapies and strategies for diagnosis
and treatment. Therapies used to treat many cancers, such as radiation
and chemotherapy, have the potential to pose a risk to the health of your
heart. Fortunately, cardiology and oncology specialists at RWJBarnabas
Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute, offer individuals a structured and
highly collaborative Cardio-Oncology Program that is laser-focused on
identifying and minimizing the risk of heart disease throughout the cancer
journey, from diagnosis through survivorship.
This program, one of only a few in the region, is currently offered in collaboration with the Rutgers Cancer Institute. For patients with pre-existing heart disease, we also take proactive steps to detect, monitor and treat cardiac conditions throughout a patient’s treatment and after therapy as part of your survivorship plan. When a cancer diagnosis occurs, before treatment starts, our oncology and cardiology teams collaborate to obtain a cardiac evaluation, which may include advanced imaging, electrophysiology and laboratory evaluations. We then develop an individualized treatment plan, with cardiology and oncology experts, and continue prevention and screening techniques throughout the cancer therapy and subsequent follow-up.
Requesting an Appointment
Prior to scheduling an appointment with one of our cardio-oncologist specialists, you may need a referral from your primary care physician. In some cases, you may make a self-referral. For a self-referral, please contact us or request an appointment online.
Conditions Treated
Our program is able to treat a variety of heart conditions. These include but are not limited to:
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart arrhythmias
- Heart failure
- Heart valve disease
- High blood pressure
- Pericarditis
- Peripheral artery disease
Procedures Offered
Your cardiologist, in collaboration with our oncology colleagues, will decide on the specific procedure based on several factors, including the type of heart disease you have and how severe it is; your age, medical history and lifestyle; and results of tests performed during your initial evaluation. Consult with your doctor for more details.
Meet the Team
Instrumental to our program’s success is our passionate, experienced,
and integrated multidisciplinary team comprised of cardiovascular specialists
skilled in all aspects of health care. To learn more about our team members,
please visit our
Cardio-Oncology Team page.
Access to the Latest Medical and Clinical Research
RWJBarnabas Health Heart, Vascular & Thoracic also prides itself in providing patients with the opportunity to have access to the latest technology and medical advancements via participation in some of the most renowned clinical studies offered. As you are aware, clinical studies help bridge research and patient care by evaluating therapies, drugs and diagnostic tools to drive discoveries into clinical practice. To learn more about our clinical trials, please visit our Clinical Trials page.
Cardio-Oncology Partnership
Over the last decade, the number of cancer drugs has expanded dramatically and patients are surviving in record numbers. More than 16 million people have survived cancer in the U.S. alone — a number predicted to be 19 million by 2024 and 30 million worldwide. However, the success in treating cancer is often hindered by the negative effects that some of the drug and radiation therapies have on heart and vascular function. For some cancer survivors, the risk of cardiovascular death surpasses the risk of death due to cancer. Tune in as Dr. Mitul Kanzaria, cardiologist at RWJUH Somerset and member of RWJBH Medical Group and Dr. Eshan Patel, oncologist at RWJUH Somerset and member of RWJBH Medical Group discuss how the critical collaboration of oncologists and cardiologists impacts the long-term health and well-being of cancer patients.
EBC Radio Interview About Cardio-Oncology
Dr. Partho Sengupta discusses cardio-oncology on EBC Radio.