Soisson S, et al. - Researchers examined long-term cardiovascular outcomes among survivors of endometrial cancer (the second most common cancer among female cancer survivors in the United States). A higher risk for various adverse long-term cardiovascular outcomes was observed among endometrial cancer survivors vs women from the general population. This finding highlights a possible necessity of increased monitoring for cardiovascular diseases in endometrial cancer patients for 10 years after cancer diagnosis.

Methods

• This study included cohorts of 2,648 endometrial cancer survivors diagnosed between 1997 and 2012 and 10,503 age-matched women from the general population.
• Researchers used electronic medical records and statewide ambulatory surgery and statewide inpatient data to identify cardiovascular disease diagnoses.
• They estimated hazard ratios (HRs) at one to five years, more than five to 10 years, and more than 10 years after cancer diagnosis, by using Cox regression models.

Results

• Among endometrial cancer survivors, increased cardiovascular risks were observed for phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, and thromboembolism (HR = 2.07, 99% confidence interval [CI] = 1.57 to 2.72), pulmonary heart disease (HR = 1.74, 99% CI = 1.26 to 2.40), and atrial fibrillation (HR = 1.50, 99% CI = 1.07 to 2.11) between one and five years after diagnosis.
• Persistence of some elevated risk for cardiovascular diseases was reported at more than five to 10 years.
• An increased risk for heart and circulatory system disorders was observed in patients who additionally had radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy vs patients who had surgery, this was observed between one and five years after cancer diagnosis.
• Among endometrial cancer survivors, risk factors for hypertension and heart disease also included older age and obesity.