A diagnosis of cancer is difficult for everyone. Getting the right diagnosis, choosing the right treatment options, working with the right team for you and your family - all are critical steps.

With any cancer treatment comes certain risks that your doctor will discuss with you. But one risk presented by some of the best cancer therapies is a risk for heart problems. Some drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, sarcomas, renal cancer, and lung cancer can potentially cause heart trouble. Even some drugs used in the treatment for childhood cancers can lead to cardiovascular problems in adults.

That's why Vanderbilt Heart is teaming up with Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. We are working together to understand how certain cancer treatments cause heart failure and how to prevent it. This collaboration will help identify patients who are at increased risk of developing heart problems while undergoing cancer treatment.

Vanderbilt Heart:
Vanderbilt Heart is one of the region's leading cardiovascular centers. We are dedicated to delivering state-of-the-art care for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Our heart program has been recognized among the best by "U.S. News and World Report". And clinical research is a vital part of our center.

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center is one of an elite group of National Cancer Institute - designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers and one of only 41 to earn this distinction nationwide. Vanderbilt-Ingram is also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a non-profit alliance of 21 of the world's leading cancer centers collaborating to improve care for patients everywhere. We are consistently recognized among the nation's leading centers for excellence in compassionate, individualized cancer treatment.

Teamwork Means Better
Our diagnostic goal in working together is to develop treatment plans that give patients the best chance of cancer survival with the least risk to the heart. Cardiologists, oncologists and research scientists from both Vanderbilt Heart and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center look carefully at a patient to see if any underlying heart condition exists. We also monitor patients without signs of cardiovascular risks, especially if they are receiving cancer treatments with known side effects to the heart.

Our registry of patients means that we will continue to improve care. By following a patient's progress and sharing information among physicians, researchers and clinicians across the country, we can improve outcomes. Our registry helps us identify those at high risk who would benefit from heart and cancer screenings.

Our Current Research
Today we are working to better understand the impact of breast cancer treatments on the heart. Our research studies will look for the early signs of cardiac changes in patients receiving certain types of chemotherapy drugs. By finding ways to identify cardiac effects early, we will be able to recommend cancer treatments that minimize a risk to your heart.

We're Here For You
Vanderbilt Heart and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center are committed to providing our patients with high quality and innovative treatments. Talk to your oncologist about this early study or any concerns you may have about side effects of your therapy. Your health is our primary concern at Vanderbilt.

Meet Our Team

 
Douglas B. Sawyer, M.D., Ph.D. 
Director, Cardiovascular Medicine 
Fellowship Program;Congestive Heart
Failure Program/Transplantation
Associate Professor of Medicine

Michael T. Baker, M.D.
General Cardiology
Assistant Professor of Medicine

                     
                            
Rob R. Hood, M.D.
General Cardiology
Assistant Professor of Medicine

David A. Slosky, M.D. 
Interventional Cardiology
Assistant Professor of Medicine

                          Patricia D. Combs, RN, BSN
                          Research Nurse Specialist
                          Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute

Participating in the Study

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 615-322-2318.
 Monday through Friday from 8 am until 5 pm, CST.