Breast Health - Juniper Publishers

Gynecology and Womens Health - Juniper Publishers

Abstract

Breasts are subject to change. They react to hormonal changes, they can hurt, and they also react to food, lifestyle and stress. Breast health is very important and self-examination should not be missed. By palpation and self-examination of the breasts, which are heterogeneous due to cyclic exposure to hormones, it is impossible to make any diagnosis. However, self-examination of women is extremely important after menstruation when there are less physiological "bumps" than during the cycle. It is very important that women know their breasts well so that they can notice when something new appears in them. Depending on age and anamnesis, it is extremely important to go for a mammogram and compare images and perform comparative ultrasound examinations. Any new change should be discussed with doctor.

Keywords: Breasts; Abnormalities; Pain; Cancer; Health

Introduction

Breast conditions are common in women [1]. Estimates are that 90% of women show benign breast tissue changes when examined microscopically. The ultimate goal is to empower women to take control of their breast health by knowing what their breasts look and feel like and to use fundamental health and wellness principles such as diet and exercise to create a healthy environment in the body. Women who regularly perform breast self-exams may note changes in the breasts during the menstrual cycle. The breasts become more lumpy and tender as menses approaches and less lumpy and less tender after menses.

Structure

The female breasts are each composed of about twenty lobes of glandular tissue embedded in fibrous and adipose tissue [2]. The lobes are arranged circumferentially much as petals on a flower. Each lobe consists of clusters of glands (terminal ductules or acini) in which milk is made during pregnancy, and a series of intralobular ducts connecting the acini and the stromal tissue in which the acini and ducts are located. Taken together these three components are called the terminal duct lobular unit (TDLU). The ducts of the TDLU converge to form large ducts that extend to the nipple. The ductules and ducts of the lobular system are bilayered. The luminal epithelial cells lining the ducts are the source of milk during lactation and also of much breast pathology, the most important being carcinoma. The outer layer is myoepithelial in nature and characteristically is lost in invasive breast cancer. Preservation versus loss of the bilayered nature of the lobular system is an important diagnostic criterion in separating benign from malignant breast disease.

The breasts are modified sweat glands that have become specialized to secrete milk. Before puberty, breast tissue in both sexes consists only of branching ducts and fibrous tissue without glandular tissue or fat. In the female, the breasts enlarge at puberty in response to estrogen and progesterone produced by the ovaries, whereas the unstimulated male breasts retain their prepubertal form. Postpuber Independent Researcher, Herzegovinatal changes in the female include proliferation of glandular and fibrous tissue and accumulation of adipose tissue within the breasts. Variations in the size of the postpubertal breasts of nonpregnant women are primarily the result of variations in the amount of fat and fibrous tissue in the breasts rather than differences in the amount of glandular tissue.

Changes

Once menses is established, the breast undergoes a periodic premenstrual phase during which the acinar cells increase in number and size, the ductal lumens widen, and breast size and turgor increase slightly [3]. Many women have breast tenderness during this phase of the menstrual cycle. Menstrual bleeding is followed by a postmenstrual phase, characterized by a decrease in size and turgor, reduction in the number and size of the breast acini, and a decrease in diameter of the lactiferous ducts. Cyclic hormonal influences to the breast are quite variable.

In response to progesterone during pregnancy, breast size and turgidity increase considerably. These changes are accompanied by deepening pigmentation of the nipple–areolar complex, nipple enlargement, areolar widening, and an increase in the number and size of the lubricating glands in the areola. The breast ductal system branches markedly, and the individual ducts widen. The acini increase in number and size. In late pregnancy, the fatty tissues of the breasts are almost completely replaced by cellular breast parenchyma. After delivery with the rapid drop in progesterone and estrogen levels, the breasts, now fully mature, start to secrete milk. With cessation of nursing or administration of estrogens, which inhibit lactation, the breast rapidly returns to its pre pregnancy state, with marked diminution of cellular elements and an increase in adipose deposits.

Following menopause, which typically occurs during the fifth decade of life, the breast undergoes a gradual process of atrophy and involution. There is a decrease in the number and size of acinar and ductal elements, so that the breast tissue regresses to an almost infantile state. Adipose tissue may or may not atrophy, with disappearance of the parenchymal elements.

Breasts

The two mammary glands, or breasts, are accessory organs of the female reproductive system that are specialized to secrete milk following pregnancy [4]. They overlie the pectoralis major muscles and extend from the second to the sixth ribs and from the sternum to the axilla. Each breast has a nipple located near the tip, which is surrounded by a circular area of pigmented skin called the areola. Each breast is composed of approximately 9 lobes (the number can range between 4 and 18), which contain glands (alveolar) and a duct (lactiferous) that leads to the nipple and opens to the outside. The lobes are separated by dense connective and adipose tissues, which also help support the weight of the breasts. During pregnancy, placental estrogen and progesterone stimulate the development of the mammary glands. Because of this hormonal activity, the breasts may double in size during pregnancy. At the same time, glandular tissue replaces the adipose tissue of the breasts.

Following childbirth and the expulsion of the placenta, levels of placental hormones (progesterone and lactogen) fall rapidly, and the action of prolactin (milk-producing hormone) is no longer inhibited. Prolactin stimulates the production of milk within a few days after childbirth, but in the interim, a dark yellow fluid called colostrum is secreted. Colostrum contains more minerals and protein, but less sugar and fat, than mature breast milk. Colostrum secretion may continue for approximately a week after childbirth, with gradual conversion to mature milk. Colostrum is rich in maternal antibodies, especially immunoglobulin A (IgA), which offers protection for the newborn against enteric pathogens.

Breast Milk

Production of human breast milk among healthy mothers who deliver full-term infants occurs in three phases-colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk [5]. Colostrum is a thick, yellow substance produced during the first several days postpartum. Healthy mothers produce approximately 80-100mL daily. Colostrum is rich in calcium, antibodies, minerals, proteins, potassium, and fat-soluble vitamins. This milk has immunologic qualities that are vital to the infant, and it possesses gastrointestinal properties to facilitate secretion of meconium. Production of colostrum is followed for the next 5-6 days with transitional milk, which provides essential components more closely resembling mature breast milk. Most women will notice a significant change evidenced by the fullness of their breasts and the change in the consistency of the milk. True milk is white and sometimes has a bluish tint. The consistency is similar to that of cow’s milk with a sweet taste. Mature breast milk, produced beginning at or near postpartum day 10, produces key components, discussed in the next section.

Numerous factors may affect the supply of breast milk, including anxiety, medications, maternal nutritional status, amount of sleep, exercise, breastfeeding frequency, tactile stimulation, and fluid intake. Breastfeeding mothers should be encouraged to consume generous amounts of fluids and express breast milk every 2-3 hours. The hormonal feedback loop that controls the production and release of prolactin and oxytocin is initiated by suckling or other tactile stimulation of the breast. The greater the amount of suckling or other tactile breast stimulation, the greater the milk supply.

Breast-Feeding

Because breast-feeding delays the onset of menstruation after pregnancy, a phenomenon that is easily observed, it has often been regarded as a form of birth control [6]. It is, however, only a relatively short-term one. Modern studies in developing countries show that mothers who breastfeed for an extended period do not begin menstruating until an average of ten months after delivery as compared with three months for mothers who do not breast-feed for a long period. It also takes breast-feeding mothers longer to conceive a child after their most recent birth event, perhaps because fertility is not at its height. This sterility is based on the assumption that the infant has little solid food and is entirely dependent on breast-feeding. If solid foods are offered, the window of nonfertility is lessened. Some practices associated with breast-feeding, however, might have lengthened this window. Many peoples including the Greeks and the Romans held that sexual intercourse spoiled the milk and, because some of these same cultures believed that children should be nursed at least for three years, long periods of abstinence would have been associated with breast-feeding. Other factors are involved as well. The onset of menstruation, even with lactating women, is closely associated with levels of nutrition and physical well-being. A comparative study of Bostonian and Taiwanese women who breast-feed indicated that a higher percentage of Boston women had begun to menstruate within six months of weaning than had Taiwanese women. The best advice today for women who are breast-feeding and who are also engaging in sexual intercourse is to use one of the methods of contraception available as well.

Abnormalities

Embryologically, the breasts develop from columns of cells called mammary ridges, which extend along the anterior body wall from the armpits to the upper thighs [2]. Most of the ridges disappear in the course of prenatal development except for the parts in the midthoracic region, which give rise to the breasts and nipples. Sometimes people have extra breasts or nipples. These are most commonly found in the armpits or on the lower chest below and medial to the normal breasts, but they may appear anywhere along the course of the embryonic mammary ridges (the milk line). Extra nipples and breast tissue may be a source of embarrassment to the individual, but usually they do not cause other problems.

Nonproliferative (benign) cystic changes in breast tissue, often called benign cystic disease or benign fibrocystic change (FCC), is a common condition that bears no increased risk for development of cancer. FCC occurs in about one-third of women from the age of twenty to the menopausal period, after which the condition recedes. It is characterized by focal areas of proliferation of glandular and fibrous tissue in the breast associated with localized dilatation of ducts, resulting in the formation of various-sized cysts within the breast. Cystic change appears to be caused by irregularities in the response of the breast tissue to the normal cyclic variations of each menstrual cycle. Clinically, a breast cyst may feel very firm and may appear to be a solid tumor. Ultrasound examination of the breast is often helpful in distinguishing a cystic from a solid mass in the breast. Often, if the physician believes the mass to be a cyst rather than a solid tumor, an attempt is made to aspirate the cyst. A needle is introduced into the breast under local anesthesia. If a cyst is present, the fluid is aspirated and the mass disappears. If no fluid can be obtained, surgical excision is performed.

Pain

Mastalgia is a symptom complex of breast pain and tenderness, with or without nodularity [7]. Among presenting breast complaints in primary care, mastalgia is at least as common, if not more common, than finding a lump. Most women are concerned about cancer. However, in a study of 987 women whose only complaint was breast pain, 1% had a malignancy on mammogram. Mastalgia is either cyclic or noncyclic, and the management depends on this categorization. Reassurance, after appropriate evaluation, that the pain is not due to cancer will be sufficient for most women; roughly 15% will require additional treatment.

Approximately two-thirds of women presenting with breast pain have cyclic mastalgia, which is bilateral pain varying in intensity throughout the menstrual cycle with the premenstrual time often the most painful. It is thought to be hormonally mediated although studies of circulating levels of progesterone, estrogen, prolactin, or quantity of hormone receptors have yielded conflicting results; however, altered hormone receptor sensitivity remains a possibility. The usual age at presentation is 33 to 35 years; the condition also has been reported by postmenopausal women on hormone therapy. Noncyclic mastalgia is usually unilateral, typically occurs in women over the age of 40 years, and is not temporally related to the menstrual cycle.

Postsurgical breast pain may occur at the site of an incision, particularly if the lines of Langer have been crossed. Mondor’s disease (phlebitis of the thoracoepigastric vein) may be related to a history of breast surgery, trauma, or radiation. Costochondritis (Tietze syndrome) reportedly accounts for approximately 7% of noncyclic mastalgia. Ruptured breast implants may also be a cause of localized breast pain. Although subclinical operable breast cancer may present with noncyclic breast pain of recent onset, it is rare that pain is the only presenting symptom in malignancy.

Cancer

Breast carcinoma occurs in both sexes [2]. It is a rare tumor in men, whose breast tissue is not subjected to stimulation by ovarian hormones, but it is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women and ranks second as a cause of cancer deaths (exceeded only by lung cancer). Breast cancer incidence rates declined drastically in the early part of the 21st century with the recognition that combined estrogen-progesterone therapy to reduce the symptoms associated with menopause (hormone replacement therapy) was a major risk factor for breast cancer. Additional modifiable risk factors include being overweight, physically inactive, consuming alcohol, or being a heavy smoker. Hormonal factors also influence the risk of breast carcinoma. Women who have never borne children or had their first child after age thirty are at increased risk, as are women who have had early onset of menses (menarche) or late menopause (that is, have had a long menstrual history). High breast tissue density (increased glandular relative to fat tissue) as measured on mammography also may indicate increased risk, but this may be due to the difficulty of early detection in such breasts rather than to heightened risk. There is some tendency for breast carcinoma to run in families, and a woman is at higher than normal risk if her mother or sister has had a breast carcinoma. Inherited mutations can lead to striking increases in breast cancer susceptibility. Two genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2), although rare in the population (less than 1 percent), account for up to 10 percent of all female breast cancer and up to 20 percent of breast cancer that occurs in families. In summary, the etiology of breast cancer is multifactorial and involves genetic background, hormonal status, and poorly defined environmental factors. Significant differences in breast cancer frequencies are found in different populations and socioeconomic groups. Mammography has led to the understanding that breast cancer originates in “in situ disease,” which is restricted to the ducts and lobular system and is not (yet) capable of metastasis. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), the precursor lesion to most breast cancers, is now diagnosed with fivefold greater frequency as a result of screening mammography. With time, in situ disease leads to populations of neoplastic cell that can traverse the ductal basement membrane, invade the surrounding tissue, and metastasize to distant sites. Because it is unclear which cases of DCIS will progress to invasive disease, DCIS is treated aggressively with excision and sometimes radiation and hormonal therapy. The process of progression is accompanied by loss of the myoepithelial cell layer surrounding the ducts and lobules of the TDLU.

Substantial evidence supports the use of routine screening mammography; however, recommendations relating to timing and frequency vary by different agencies and countries [8]. About one-third of the abnormalities detected on screening mammograms will be found to be malignant when biopsy is performed. The probability of cancer on a screening mammogram is directly related to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRADS) assessment, and workup should be performed based on this classification. The sensitivity of mammography varies from approximately 60% to 90%. This sensitivity depends on several factors, including patient age, breast density, tumor size, tumor histology (lobular versus ductal), location, and mammographic appearance. In young women with dense breasts, mammography is less sensitive than in older women with fatty breasts, in whom mammography can detect at least 90% of malignancies. Smaller tumors, particularly those without calcifications, are more difficult to detect, especially in dense breasts. The lack of sensitivity and the low incidence of breast cancer in young women have led to questions concerning the value of mammography for screening in women 40-50 years of age. The specificity of mammography in women under 50 years varies from about 30% to 40% for nonpalpable mammographic abnormalities to 85% to 90% for clinically evident malignancies. Currently, the American College of Radiology recommends annual mammography screening for women aged 40 and older and the American Cancer Society recommends screening average-risk women annually starting at the age of 45 and offering mammography to women who choose to do so starting at the age of 40. Thus, clinicians should have an informed discussion with patients about screening mammography regarding its potential risks (eg, false positives, overdiagnosis) and benefits (eg, early diagnosis), taking into consideration a patient’s individual risk factors.

Breast Examination

Breast self-examination (BSE) was traditionally advocated as a method of self-screening [9]. Over the years, evidence has demonstrated that self-examination does not reduce breast cancer-related mortality and is associated with an increased rate of benign biopsies. Beginning in 2009, the USPSTF (US Preventive Services Task Force) specifically recommended against clinicians teaching the practice of breast self-examination (awarding that service a “D” grade), concluding with a moderate or high certainty that BSE did not have a net benefit for patients.

The new mantra being advocated, in place of the traditional practice of BSE, is the concept of “breast self-awareness,” which is being promoted by essentially all organizations, including the ACOG (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), ACS (American Cancer Society), and NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network). Rather than a methodically and routinely performed self-exam, this recommendation emphasizes the importance of patients being aware of the way their breasts normally appear and feel. The patient is encouraged to be aware of any change that may occur in their own body and to discuss these changes with their physician. A breast finding brought to a clinician’s attention by the patient may be appropriately followed up with either reassurance, clinical breast exam, and/or imaging.

Conclusion

The first step in breast self-examination is to look for any visible changes in front of the mirror. These can be a change in skin color, a change in the size of a breast, a change in texture, skin indentation, etc. It is also necessary to look at the nipples and see if they have changed shape or color in any way. Most breast changes are benign in nature and patients should not be immediately frightened if they notice changes in the breast. It is necessary to go to the doctor without panic and excessive fear. Without delay.

To Know more about Gynecology and Womens Health

Click here: https://juniperpublishers.com/jgwh/index.php

To Know more about our Juniper Publishers

Click here: https://juniperpublishers.com/index.php 

Heart Failure and Malignancy: Implications of Chemotherapy and Radiation in the Pathogenesis of Cardiomyopathy in Cancer Treated Populations - Juniper Publishers

 Cardiology & Cardiovascular Therapy - Juniper Publishers

Abstract

The field of Cardio-oncology is rapidly growing with significant advances in research leading to better understanding of the underlying pathogenesis with implications in the diagnosis and management of cancer-related cardiomyopathy. Parallel to advancement in cardio-oncology is an increased awareness of the incidence of congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy associated with malignancy. While specific cardiotoxic profiles exist for certain chemotherapeutic agents, there is increasing evidence of unexpected cardiotoxic side effects of some therapeutic modalities, combination chemo- and radiotherapy with large analyses identifying a strong association between malignancy and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy, also known as “broken-heart” syndrome or stress cardiomyopathy, is characterized by transient and reversible, regional or global, myocardial dysfunction without inciting ischemic perfusion defect from obstructive coronary artery disease. While direct causative pathophysiologic mechanisms continue to be investigated, much of the postulated pathways center on the high emotional and physical burdens of cancer and the related emotional stress associated with the diagnosis of cancer as well as the corporal effects of anti-neoplastic therapies, radiation, and oncologic surgery. In this manuscript we review the most current data in this rapidly emerging field highlighting the epidemiology, the postulated pathogenetic mechanisms as well as the current guidelines by major societies addressing malignancy -associated heart failure and cardiomyopathy, a rather complex disease entity with high morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: Heat Failure; Cardiomyopathy; Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy; Stress Cardiomyopathy; Cancer; Cardiotoxicity

Introduction

Among the greatest stories in modern medicine, research and advancements in diagnostics and therapeutics is the field of oncology, with continuously evolving management and diagnostic modalities, and establishment of regional and national centers of excellence in clinical investigation and care for patients with cancer, the second leading cause of death in the United States [1].

Highlighting the remarkable figures of increasing survival, reductions in mortality and annual incidence of cancer is a recent report with 2020 malignancy-associated morbidity and mortality projections by the American Cancer Society demonstrating the slowing of malignancy associated death and the notable gains in prevention and definitive treatment in cancer [2].

While malignancy survival, mortality, incidence, and prevalence figures have prominently improved since the 1970s, cardiovascular disease mortality risk, both in active cancer patients and cancer survivors, is prominently increased [3]. With the identification of malignancy associated cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and known cardiotoxic profiles of cancer related therapies including chemotherapy, targeted antineoplastic agents, and radiotherapy, the field of cardio-oncology has become one of the most rapidly developing subspecialties in cardiology, with increasing numbers of fellowship training, clinical, and research programs, and dedicated scientific conferences, symposia, and publications [4-7].

Given the direct cardiomyocyte effects associated with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, other targeted antineoplastic agents, and radiotherapy, broad interest and attention has been given to cardiomyopathies and congestive heart failure (CHF) among the diverse cardiovascular pathologies identified in malignancy [8].

A particular cardiomyopathy and etiology of CHF of importance to cardiologists and oncologists is Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM). TCM, also known as “broken-heart” syndrome or stress cardiomyopathy, is a syndrome of acute, transient, reversible, regional myocardial dysfunction with resulting ventricular hypokinesis, dyskinesis, or akinesis in the absence of underlying obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease, typically preceded by a physical or emotional stressor [9,10]. Large analyses of international TCM databases and registries have identified a strong association between malignancy and TCM [11]. Similar to investigations of pathophysiologic mechanisms of TCM in the absence of malignancy, postulations on TCM pathways in cancer patients center on identifiable emotional and physical triggers, noticeably abundant in malignancy, and include the emotional and mental stress of diagnosis and living chronically with cancer, and the physical stress associated with the symptoms of the disease itself and effects of therapies [12].

In this review, we present a comprehensive summary of the modern understanding of heart failure and cardiomyopathy through the lens of malignancy, analysis of epidemiology, cardiotoxic profiles of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and other targeted antineoplastic therapies, cardiovascular outcomes and diagnostic management strategies in the setting of direct therapy associated cardiomyopathy and in TCM, and consider current and future perspectives on areas of investigation in cardio-oncology.

Epidemiology

Historical trends and clinical observations have highlighted an increasingly apparent relationship between malignancy and cardiovascular disease. Among high income countries, cancer death rates exceed cardiovascular death rates. In the US, cardiovascular disease and malignancy are first and second leading causes of death, respectively. Therefore, from an epidemiological standpoint, identification of potential interactions between cancer and cardiovascular disease is of great importance [1,13].

National measures of cardiovascular disease indicate 12.1% prevalence of adults with diagnosed heart disease, corresponding to approximately 30 million people with an annual mortality rate of approximately 200 people per 100,00 population [14]. Within cardiovascular pathologies, CHF prevalence has been estimated to be 2.2% among US adults above the age of 20, with 1-year and 5-year mortality rates estimated at 22% and 42.3%, respectively [15].

National measures of cancer-related incidence and survival point to overall improvements in morbidity and mortality, but highlight improving outcomes are not shared equally across malignancies or genders. Male and female mortality rates have similarly decreased since 1990, with 5-year survival rates as of 2015 at 67% [2]. However, since 2007, the incidence of new cancer diagnoses in males has declined to a rate of approximately 500 per 100,00 population, while the incidence rate among females has remained stable at approximately 400 per 100,000 population.

In parallel to the expanding research on the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease in the setting of malignancy are data and epidemiologic profiles of cardiovascular complications in patients with cancer. Cardiovascular risk and burden of disease among cancer patients, both in terms of preexisting comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, smoking, etc.) and risk associated with specific malignancies and treatment modalities, have been increasingly identified as prevalent clinical vulnerabilities in malignancy [16,17].

Among coexisting cardiovascular diseases in the US population of patients with lung, colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer, the prevalence of CHF exceeded the combined prevalence of cerebrovascular disease and myocardial infarction (MI) [17].

While HF prevalence was observed to be highest among Chinese cancer patients with hematologic malignancies, the hazard ratio of all-cause mortality was significantly increased for patients with CHF [16]. HF carries a lower 5-year survival rate than gender specific malignancies, such as prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women.

Along with being at an increased risk for developing cancer, patients with CHF later diagnosed with malignancy have been shown to have higher all-cause mortality demonstrating an additive effect [18,19]. Epidemiology of HF and cardiomyopathy associated with chemotherapy and targeted antineoplastic therapies has been well documented in literature and has prompted major national and international cardiology and oncology societies to develop dedicated guidelines for the evaluation and management of cardiomyopathy and CHF attributed to malignancy and chemotherapy, or incorporate recommendations on chemotherapy induced CHF and cardiomyopathy into larger CHF guidelines [20-22]. Historically, anthracyclines and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2) inhibitors have been commonly cited for their potent cardiotoxicity, with adjuvant use of these agents increasing the overall risk of cardiotoxicity [23- 25].

Moreover, in patients presenting with mild to end stage CHF, or in those who are clinically asymptomatic but with clinical evidence of cardiomyopathy, doxorubicin, other anthracyclines, and non-anthracycline chemotherapeutic and anti-neoplastic agents were implicated as the etiology of up to 3% of initially unexplained cardiomyopathies [26,27].

Cardiotoxic Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, Antineoplastic Targeted Therapy, and Radiotherapy Cardiomyopathy

While anthracyclines and Her2 inhibitors have the most cardiotoxic profiles and are frequently implicated in the development of cardiomyopathy and CHF, multiple chemotherapies, immunotherapies, and targeted antineoplastic therapies have also been highlighted by major cardiology societies and in national and international CHF guidelines [22,28]. Since the release of the American and European CHF guidelines in 2013 and 2016, respectively, numerous guideline updates and position papers have pointed to additional information on the pathophysiology and importance of monitoring of ventricular dysfunction in previously and newly implicated cardiotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs [20,22,28-30]. While the management of malignancy continues to transition and incorporate increasingly novel targeted antineoplastic therapies, the extensive use of chemotherapy over the last 50 years has resulted in a large body of evidence specifically on cardiomyopathy and CHF, the most worrisome of cardiovascular complications of chemotherapy.

Anthracyclines

Since first observations of myocardial dysfunction were made in the 1970s, anthracyclines, particularly doxorubicin, have been shown to possess a potent dose-dependent cardiomyocyte toxicity profile resulting in left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and CHF [20,23,31]. The transition from asymptomatic ventricular dysfunction to overt symptomatic CHF is highly variable with often long latencies between anthracycline exposure and the clinical manifestations of cardiomyopathy, with similarly diverse cardiac structural and functional findings including LV wall thinning, chamber dilation, increased LV wall stress, reduced ejection fraction (EF), and diastolic dysfunction [23,32,33].

Current understanding of mechanisms of anthracycline induced cardiomyocyte injury center on the generation of toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibition of Topoisomerase 2ß (Top2ß) and the resulting breaks in DNA [23,34]. Doxorubicin increases oxidative stress in the cytoplasm and mitochondria via direct catalysis and formation of irreversible complexes with cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane susceptible to peroxidation, promoting cardiomyocyte death via caspase mediated apoptosis and disrupting mitochondrial ATP metabolism, further contributing to cardiomyocyte death through cytoplasmic and mitochondrial swelling and sarcomere lesions [34]. Top2ß, a DNA replication enzyme that is highly expressed in both highly proliferating cancer cells and active quiescent non-proliferating cells like cardiomyocytes, is inhibited by anthracyclines, resulting is double-stranded DNA breaks and activation of p53 mediated apoptosis pathways [23,35].

Anthracycline’s dose dependent cardiotoxic profiles show similar dose dependent LV dysfunction rates, best displayed by wide incidence ranges of 3-5% and 18-48% for low and high dose doxorubicin, respectively [20].

Predisposing risk factors for anthacycline-induced cardiomyopathy include female gender, African-American heritage, age > 65 years, kidney disease, and concurrent radiation therapy at or near the heart as seen in malignancies of the chest and mediastinum such as lymphoma, lung, and breast cancer [20,23].

While there is high variability in onset of cardiomyopathy after anthracycline exposure, large retrospective analysis conducted by Cardinale et al. on the timing of anthracycline cardiotoxic manifestations, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, show 98% of cases of cardiomyopathy develop within a year of anthracycline exposure, with a median of 3.5 months [23,36]. The temporal relationship between anthracycline exposure and manifestations of cardiotoxicity has led to different approaches to classification. Early effects are classified as cardiomyopathic changes that develop within the first year of treatment, subcategorized as either acute (after single dose or course) or early-onset chronic progressive (within first year), with late-onset chronic progressive effects developing after the first year of treatment [20,36,37]. However, the timing and degree of physiologic and structural LV abnormalities are largely viewed as a continuous progressive cardiotoxicity with decline in LVEF where patients who are initially asymptomatic but with clinical manifestations and evidence of cardiomyopathy eventually develop symptoms [20,38].

Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (Her2) Inhibitors

Her2 inhibitors, namely trastuzumab and more recently developed agents including pertuzumab, lapatinib, and adotrastuzumab emtansine, target Her2, a cell surface tyrosine kinase receptor that is overexpressed in up to a quarter of breast cancers, with Her2 positivity associated with a more aggressive malignancy course, reduced survival, and increased risk of recurrence [39]. While most commonly connected to breast cancer, Her2 overexpression has also been seen and studied in gastric, gastroesophageal, and bony metastases of prostate malignancies [40-42].

In the absence of concurrent anthracycline use, trastuzumab carries a considerably low risk of cardiotoxicity, with rates of asymptomatic systolic dysfunction and overt CHF occurring at 3.2 and 0.5%, respectively [39]. When included in adjuvant anthracycline-based regimens, the rates of both asymptomatic reductions in ejection fraction and symptomatic CHF increase to 4.0 and 18.6%, respectively [39,43]. Each Her2 targeted therapy inhibits Her2 mediated pathways in different ways, but share a common cardiomyopathic pathophysiology of disrupting the cardiomyocyte homeostatic functions of Her2 signaling pathway, disturbing cardiomyocyte responses to hemodynamic stress, interfering with sarcomeric organization and hypertrophy, and triggering accumulation of cardiotoxic reactive oxygen species [39,44,45].

In contrast to anthracyclines that are directly cardiotoxic causing cardiomyopathy thats is generally progressive and irreversible, Her2 inhibitors disrupt the cardioprotective functions of the Her2 pathway, with the overwhelming cases of newly developed cardiomyopathies and overt CHF being reversible [39,46]. Beyond antecedent exposure to anthracyclines, risk factors associated with trastuzumab related cardiotoxicity include age, cardiovascular comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes mellitus, and African American ethnicity [39,47,48].

Additional Therapies

Beyond the frequently implicated anthracyclines and Her2 inhibitors, numerous additional conventional chemotherapies, immunotherapies, and targeted therapies have been shown to induce myocardial dysfunction resulting in reversible and irreversible cardiomyocyte changes [20].

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) signaling pathway inhibitors, both direct VEGF inhibitors like bevacizumab, and downstream signaling pathway tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have exhibited varying rates of LV dysfunction and CHF [43,49,50]. VEGF pathway inhibitors have been approved and are under investigation in multiple malignancies, particularly solid tumors, including renal, lung, gastroesophageal, breast, cervical, ovarian, and gastrointestinal stromal cancers [50]. The incidence of LV dysfunction with bevacizumab is approximated at 1.6-4.0%, with large variability in incidence and severity of HF (higher New York Heart Association [NYHA] classification) influenced by dose, underlying malignancy, and previous or concurrent use of other cardiotoxic chemotherapy [20,51]. Different cardiomyopathic mechanisms have been suggested, including thinning of ventricular walls, depressed contractility, and loss of cardioprotective function mediated by VEGF [52]. Among VEGF pathway TKIs, the relative risk of developing both all grade and high grade (NYHA III-IV) CHF, was similar between specific TKIs like axitinib and non-specific TKIs like sunitinib, sorafenib, vandetanib, and pazopanib, with a collective all grade CHF risk of 2.69 [20,53]. Prospective echocardiographic studies and large meta-analyses on sunitinib approximate a CHF incidence of 4.1% with relative risk of 1.8 compared to placebo, driven by a 9.7% incidence of LV dysfunction [49,54].

As VEGF pathway inhibitors are typically used in metastatic disease on patients with limited life expectancies that often undergo interruption and discontinuation of therapies, the degree of reversibility, approximated at 60-80%, and overall prognosis associated with VEGF pathway inhibitor mediated cardiomyopathy and CHF is difficult to assess [20,55].

Other conventional chemotherapies have been associated with cardiotoxicity, LV dysfunction, and CHF with wide ranging incidences and dose-dependent relationships [20]. While infrequent, the cardiomyopathy associated with alkylating agents such as cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, and cisplatin is typically irreversible [20,56]. The risk CHF secondary to cyclophosphamide is dose-dependent, with LV systolic dysfunction occurring shortly after initial administration and irreversibility setting in at doses greater than 1.55 g/m²/day [56,57]. The incidence of cardiomyopathy in cyclophosphamide rangers from 7-28%, showing a similar dose dependent relationship to ifosfamide, with pathophysiologic mechanisms based on gross pathology and autopsy suggesting therapy induced hemorrhagic cardiomyocyte necrosis, interstitial edema, fibrin deposition, subendocardial hemorrhage, and epicardial petechial lesions [20,49,56]. Beyond bolus and total dose, additional predisposing risk factors for the development of LV dysfunction include older age and concurrent or previous use of other chemotherapeutic agents and mediastinal radiation [57]. Cisplatin has been associated with a later onset of LV dysfunction, with the appearance of symptomatic CHF more common in patients with preexisting myocardial disease that is exacerbated by the high volumes of intravenous fluids administered to mitigate cisplatin related oto- and nephrotoxicity [20,56]. Furthermore, cisplatin mediated myocardial ischemia strongly contributes to the development of ischemic cardiomyopathy and CHF as opposed to direct cardiomyocyte toxicity [20].

Antimetabolites, such as 5-fluorouracil and capecitabine, and anti-microtubule agents, such as docetaxel and paclitaxel, have low cardiomyocyte toxicity profiles with rare instances of cardiomyopathy and CHF [58]. Cardiomyopathies associated with antimetabolites and anti-microtubules are exceedingly rare and manifest in patients exposed to more commonly implicated therapies like anthracyclines, trastuzumab, and cyclophosphamide, rendering assessment of the individualized cardiomyocyte toxicity profiles of these agents difficult [20]. Studies have hypothesized different mechanisms of antimetabolite mediated direct cardiomyocyte toxicity, including increased reactive oxygen species and toxic metabolite formation, Krebs cycle disruption, myocardial dysfunction and resulting apoptosis and necrosis from caspase-activation [58,59]. While the literature on the cardiomyocyte toxicity profiles of antimetabolites and antimicrotubules continues to evolve, the prominent multifactorial cardiac effects associated with these chemotherapeutic agents, including arrhythmogenesis, high grade conduction abnormalities, endothelial dysfunction, coronary vasospasm, platelet aggregation and thrombotic risk, contribute to the development of cardiomyopathy and CHF [58,60,61].

Two additional classes of cancer therapies with emerging evidence of cardiovascular toxicity include the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase and proteasome inhibitors [20,62,63]. Tyrosine kinase enzymes have roles in myocardial, vascular, and metabolic physiology. Analysis of BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors, including imatinib and newer formulations like nilotinib, dasatinib, bosutinib, and poratinib, have demonstrated an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events, primarily progression of atherosclerosis and related complications, especially in those with pre-existing disease [20,62,64]. While early studies on imatinib raised concern for cardiomyopathic toxicity, subsequent research on imatinib and the other aforementioned BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors have not demonstrated therapy related myocardial dysfunction, but implicate these agents in the development of other non-atherosclerotic cardiovascular complications, including pulmonary arterial hypertension and QT interval prolongation, [62,65,66]. Given the high protein turnover and proteasome activity in cardiomyocytes, proposed mechanisms of proteasome inhibitor associated cardiotoxicity, specifically carlfizomib and bortezomib, have centered on caspase mediated apoptosis and activation of the unfolded protein response, a signaling pathway accelerated by the accumulation of misfolded and unfolded proteins typically degraded by the proteasome [20,63,67]. Among multiple myeloma patients exposed to proteasome therapy, the incidence of cardiomyopathy and CHF among those treated with carfilzomib was considerably higher than those managed with bortezomib, likely secondary to robust proteasome inhibition and cardiomyocyte injury given the more potent irreversible interaction of carfilzomib at the chymotrypsin-like site of the 20S proteasome [20,63,68].

Radiotherapy Cardiotoxicity and Cardiomyopathy

Incidence and prevalence of radiation induced toxicity is difficult to establish due to several factors, most notably temporal delay between radiation therapy and onset of symptoms, previous or concurrent exposure to cardiotoxic therapies, and overall failure to properly attribute cardiac pathophysiologic complications to previous radiation treatment [20].

While diverse pathophysiologic mechanisms are proposed to drive the cardiotoxicity of radiotherapy, the constellation of these mechanisms appears to be a synergistic cardiotoxicity from the cumulative long term exposure to both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Previous studies in patients exposed to both, particularly anthracyclines in malignancies like breast cancer and lymphoma, have significantly higher rates of cardiomyopathy than in patients treated with chemotherapy alone [20,32,69]. Radiotherapy cardiotoxicity is primarily driven by endothelial damage and resultant inflammation causing accelerated atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and myocardial ischemia [69,70]. Furthermore, a marked cytokine mediated inflammatory process that increases collagen deposition with a diffuse pattern of fibrosis involving the pericardium, myocardium, and conduction system has been noted [69,71].

Beyond the direct myocardial effects of previous or concurrent chemo-, immuno-, and antineoplastic therapy, the cardiomyopathy resulting from radiation is a combination of fibrotic complications, including diastolic dysfunction secondary to LV stiffening, and chronic pericardial effusions and constrictive pericarditis [69,72]. Diastolic dysfunction arises from myocardial, perivascular, and pericellular fibrosis caused by micro-ischemia and alterations of ventricular distensibility and compliance [69,73]. Pericardial radiation injury causes neovascularization that furthers micro-ischemia, fibrosis, and inflammation, leading to disrupted pericardial venous and lymphatic drainage and a chronic exudative pericardial effusion [69]. While some cancer patients may develop rapidly accumulating or large volume malignant effusions presenting with cardiac tamponade, this is more typical of metastatic involvement of the pericardium or direct local invasion of mediastinal and thoracic malignancies [74,75]. Chronic inflammation and fibrosis of the pericardium results in constrictive pericarditis and restrictive cardiomyopathy, disrupting ventricular hemodynamics through normalization of right ventricle (RV) and LV pressures, and RV encroachment on LV diastole with impaired filling and output, and loss of inspiratory negative thoracic pressure assisting in biventricular filling [72].

Pre-, Peri-, and Post-treatment Approach to Cardiotoxic Chemotherapy

Given the wide cardiotoxic profiles of chemotherapeutic, immunotherapeutic, and targeted antineoplastic agents and risk of developing of asymptomatic cardiomyopathy and symptomatic CHF, especially in malignancies where multiple therapies are used simultaneously or in succession, a thorough and careful cardiovascular workup and assessment of cardiovascular risk factors and predisposing comorbidities is recommended in the clinical practice guidelines of the major American and European oncology organizations [21,29]. The 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ACSO) guidelines [29] and the 2012 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) guidelines [21] give specific recommendations regarding cardiotoxic risk stratification, specifically with anthracycline and Her2 inhibitor use, and general approaches and strategies for prevention and surveillance before, during, and after treatment.

In addition to screening for cardiovascular risk factors and predisposing comorbidities like smoking, obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and underlying coronary artery disease, all patients should undergo an echocardiogram to assess for pre-existing structural abnormalities and LV systolic or diastolic dysfunction. Regardless of comorbidities and preexisting coronary artery or structural heart disease, the ACSO (Table 1) and ESMO (Table 2) classify cancer patients as high risk for cardiotoxicity depending on the cumulative dosage of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, specifically anthracyclines and trastuzumab. Lower dosages of other therapeutic agents combined with radiotherapy result in the same high-risk categorization.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy and Malignancy

Recent data from international registries and large metaanalyses have identified a strong association between Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM), malignancy and particularly poor outcomes [11,76].

Epidemiologically, patients with TCM are more likely than age and gender matched peers to have a cancer diagnosis and with increased probability of having malignancy diagnosed in subsequent follow up [77]. Data from the InterTAK Registry, a multi-center collaboration across 9 countries, demonstrated a 16.6% prevalence of malignancy in patients with TCM [11].

Taken alongside other reviews, observational studies, metaanalyses, the prevalence of cancer in TCM has been approximated to be 1.3-25.5% [11,76-78]. Similar to investigations of pathophysiologic mechanisms of TCM in the absence of malignancy, postulations on TCM pathways in cancer patients center on identifiable emotional and physical triggers, noticeably abundant in malignancy, and include the emotional and mental stress of diagnosis and living chronically with cancer, and the physical stress associated with the symptoms of the disease itself and effects of therapies [12].

In the InterTAK Registry study from 2019, TCM in malignancy was more likely to have been caused by new pharmacological or procedural interventions than an emotional trigger and was associated with a higher in-hospital mortality and poorer longterm survival [11] (Figures 1 & 2).

Current and Future Perspectives

Given the primary and secondary rankings of cardiovascular disease and malignancy among annual national and international mortality, and the incidence of development of heart failure in patients with cancer, and vice versa, there has been an increasing focus on investigating the connections between cardiomyopathies and malignancy. Beyond known and postulated potential cardiotoxicities associated with specific chemotherapeutic, immunotherapeutic, and targeted antineoplastic agents, properties of particular hematologic and neuroendocrine malignancies increase the risk of cardiomyopathy, and highlight a bidirectional nature to cancer and heart failure [43].

Carcinoid heart disease, a rare manifestation of neuroendocrine tumors, is primarily characterized by endomyocardial fibrotic plaques and fibrotic remodeling of the endocardium [43,79]. Fibroblast growth and fibrogenesis typically involves the valves, and given the efficient inactivation of neuroendocrine mediators in the pulmonary vasculature and liver, the resulting valvular stenosis or regurgitation is greatly influenced by the anatomic location of the tumor, with bronchial carcinoids resulting in rare mitral, aortic, and left ventricular dysfunction, or the presence of a right-to-left intracardiac shunt [43,79,80].

Tricuspid, pulmonic, and right ventricular carcinoid heart disease arises from gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors with metastases to liver that have significantly disrupted hepatic clearance of serotonin, tachykinin, and kallikrein, or rare primary ovarian neuroendocrine tumors that avoid the portal venous system [79,81]. Myocardial metastasis of neuroendocrine cancerous cells is rare, and while direct tumor deposition and proliferation in the myocardium can contribute to systolic and diastolic dysfunction, right, left, or biventricular heart failure in the presence of neuroendocrine malignancies more typically arises from valvular involvement and resulting disruptions in normal physiology [79,82].

In hematologic malignancies and plasma cell dyscrasias like chronic lymphocytic leukemia, macroglobulinemia, nonlymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance, smolder myeloma, and multiple myeloma, cardiac deposition of light chain immunoglobins and AL amyloidosis in the myocardium and valves contributes to the development of restrictive cardiomyopathy and heart failure from cardiac amyloidosis [43,83]. In cardiac amyloidosis, amyloid fibril infiltration causes increased wall thickness with restrictive physiology, diastolic dysfunction, smaller end-diastolic volumes, and despite preserved ejection fractions and systolic function, overall lower stroke volumes and cardiac output [84].

More recent early experimental work on cardiotoxic oncometabolites has elucidated additional pathophysiologic pathways of cardiomyopathy in cancer [43]. In acute myeloid leukemia, alterations in genetic and global expression of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 has been shown in retrospective observational studies to be associated with a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease, and to mechanistically exacerbate doxorubicin mediated cardiotoxicity [85].

Conclusion

The discipline of cardio-oncology continues to emerge with the expansion of dedicated subspecialty fellowship programs and cancer and cardiovascular institution based cardio-oncology centers and services. As cardiologists and oncologists learn more and more about these maladies and the evolving understanding of connections between them, the clinical care of patients with asymptomatic cardiomyopathy, symptomatic congestive heart failure, and malignancy will be continually refined. It is unquestionably an exciting and privileged time for cardiooncology, and through continued collaboration, the longitudinal and personalized cardiac and cancer care of these high-risk patients will mature and improve.

To Know more about Cardiology & Cardiovascular Therapy

Click here: https://juniperpublishers.com/jocct/index.php

To Know more about our Juniper Publishers

Click here: https://juniperpublishers.com/index.php