RAPID RESPONSES FROM BMJ.COM: Increased cardiovascular deaths following radiotherapy over 10 years ago -- nothing new

doi:10.1136/bmjusa.03040005

BMJ, doi: 10.1136/bmjusa.03040005, (Published 6 May 2003)

Letter

RAPID RESPONSES FROM BMJ.COM

Increased cardiovascular deaths following radiotherapy over 10 years ago — nothing new

Following is an edited excerpt from one of the Rapid Responsesgenerated by this article, which can be read in their entiretyat http://bmj.com/cgi/eletters/326/7383/256 — Editor

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

From BMJ USA 2003;April:211

Editor — In 2000, the early breast cancer trials collaborativegroup reported long-term follow-up of patients treated by radiotherapyfor breast cancer and showed an increased mortality rate from cardiovascular events ( Lancet 2000;355:1757-1770[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]). This is widely known and accepted in oncology. However, it is relatedto what would now be considered as poor radiotherapy techniquesand poor fractionation schedules. Indeed, more recent reportshave shown not only the established two-thirds reduction inlocal recurrence when radiotherapy is used after mastectomy,but also an overall survival benefit of around 9%. In addition,Overgaard has shown no excess cardiac deaths in patients followedfor over 10 years [see references on bmj.com]. As a result,many patients who have had . . . [Full text of this article]