Does chemo treatments affect he heart? How so?!
Question: ...especialy to the pericardium in terms of circumferential thickening?
Answers: ...especialy to the pericardium in terms of circumferential thickening?
Yes, indeed, Chemo is basically a derivative of the old world war 1 Mustard Gas and that in itself killed by disabling the heart. Thickening of the arteries is common Damage to the pericardium is almost always present even years later in survivors.
Chemo disables to an extent the muscular strength of the heart. In most cases, it is permanent and shortens the life of the individual. There are choices, as you know, die from cancer with no treatment, or damage your heart to some extent. The former is always the better choice.
Constrictive peri-carditis is a rare condition to be related to chemotherapeutic treatment though not unheard of. If you are worried about yourself or someone close to you then tell your/their oncologist NOW!!
The people treating you/them are perfectly aware of how chemotherapy reduces the ability of every available immuno supressant sytem in the body (ie the hepatic system) and can leave the patient vulnerable to other complaints, especially infection and they will have taken into account or 'appreciated' a patient history (any cardiiac problems, myopathy etc) and will monitor that.
If you are concerned that they have not then SPEAK UP!!
Fibrosis of the myocardium to some, variable, degree is an acceptable side effect of chemotherapy and will not, in an unotherwise healthy person, significantly shorten their life span. So relax.
The best of luck with yourself and or whomever you're refering to,
Keep on Truck a Saurasin'
They do not bring about serious problem. you can have rapid heart rate, low blood pressure