Radiation-induced cardiac disease: Modern techniques to reduce cardiac toxicity
Continuous advancements in cancer management have resulted in increased long-term survival rates amongst cancer survivors and in turn have exposed the full extent of radiotherapy-associated morbidities. Radiation-induced coronary heart disease (RICHD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in cancer survivors, particularly in those having undergone mediastinal radiation. While mediastinal radiation has been shown to substantially reduce both recurrence and mortality rates in multiple thoracic malignancies, the risk for the development of RICHD is of significant concern.