A case report and review of the literature: cardiotoxicities after radiotherapy for breast cancer patients with high-risk factors of cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an important adverse effect of radiotherapy and is responsible for increased morbidity and mortality in long-term survivors with breast cancer. Patients may have pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors before treatment of breast cancer, and the effects of pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors can be compounded by radiotherapy. We report a case of left breast cancer in a 63-year-old female with a high risk of CVD who was suspected of having radiation-induced myocardium injury 1 year after postoperative adjuvant therapy. Radiation oncologists should not only reduce the adverse effects by perfecting radiotherapy technology but also consider reducing other high-risk factors for CVD.