A comprehensive pediatric cardio-oncology program: a single institution approach to cardiovascular care for pediatric patients with cancer and childhood cancer survivors

Cardiovascular complications related to cancer therapies are broad and variable in onset. These complications are the leading cause of non-cancer related morbidity and mortality in childhood cancer survivors and can also impact ongoing cancer treatment. Despite this understanding, dedicated cardio-oncology programs are lacking in pediatric cardiology. In an attempt to respond to these concerns, a risk-stratified, comprehensive cardio-oncology program was established to address the cardiovascular needs including prevention, early diagnosis, and management of patients with and at risk for cardiovascular complications of cancer therapy. This manuscript describes a single institution’s experience of building and managing a multidisciplinary pediatric cardio-oncology program with close collaboration among cardiologists, oncologists, advanced cardiology and oncology practice providers, and allied health providers such as a dietitian and psychologist to provide comprehensive cardiovascular care for childhood cancer patients and survivors. In developing this program, emphasis was on the childhood cancer survivor population, as various cardiovascular complications can present many years after cancer treatment.