Cardio-Oncology Services

UPMC provides heart and vascular care to people currently undergoing cancer treatment.

Our cardio-oncology team includes cardiovascular and oncologic experts at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center who work to prevent, diagnose, and treat heart and blood vessel issues as they arise in people with cancer and cancer survivors. 

Our Center for Cardio-Oncology has been designated an International Cardio-Oncology Society Center of Excellence, Gold Status. This international designation highlights our team’s expertise, resources, and ability to deliver comprehensive, interdisciplinary care.

What Is Cardio-Oncology?

Cancer care and treatment have greatly evolved over the past decades. Thanks to teams of devoted researchers, people with cancer are surviving and thriving.

However, cancer survivors may experience damage to their cardiovascular system from certain cancer treatments, drugs, and radiation therapy.

UPMC’s cardio-oncology services are provided through a partnership between cardiology and oncology experts. Together, we work to prevent, detect, and treat heart and blood vessel problems resulting from cancer treatment.

The center is among the first of its kind. It combines the unique skills of UPMC cardiologists and oncologists to provide complete care for cancer patients and survivors.

We also partner with pediatric oncologists to help young adults who previously had cancer treatment transition their care to adult cardiology providers.

What conditions do you treat?

We treat any heart condition that arises during or after cancer treatment. We also provide pre-treatment assessments for heart disease risk.

Who’s eligible for cardio-oncology services?

If you have a current or previous cancer diagnosis, you may be eligible for cardio-oncology services.

What Cardio-Oncology Services Does UPMC Offer?

The UPMC cardio-oncology team works to prevent or treat the negative cardiovascular effects of certain cancer treatments.

By teaming up with UPMC oncology experts, we offer a unique treatment approach that includes:

• Assessing the risks of heart disease based on cancer type and treatment, family history, and other factors.
• Using state-of-the-art 2D and 3D echocardiography (ECHO), including myocardial strain assessment. ECHO images of the heart let us track changes or effects of cancer treatment. They also help us predict who may be at a higher risk of heart problems.
• Working directly with cancer doctors to design treatment plans that lower the risk of heart disease while effectively treating cancer.

What Can I Expect From Cardio-Oncology Services?

Our team of cardio-oncology experts will create a comprehensive plan to manage your condition and reduce your risk of complications.

Before your visit

To prepare for your visit, you will be asked to provide:

• Name, address, and contact phone number.
• Insurance information.
• Relevant medical records and test results.
• A referral, if required by your health insurance company.

If you get a referral from your primary care doctor or another physician, they may be able to provide your test results and medical records to our team.

During your visit

You'll meet with a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant when you arrive for your first appointment. He or she will ask about your medical history and perform an exam.

We'll give you a complete explanation of your condition and treatment.

Your health care provider will explain your care options based on what kind of cancer and cancer treatment you have had, your current condition, and your general health history.

Together, we will design and agree on a care plan.

After your treatment

Our team will schedule follow-up appointments to check on how you are doing. You should contact our office if:

• You have questions about your treatment plan or medications.
• Your symptoms get worse or do not improve as expected.
• You have any other concerns about your condition.

Your UPMC Cardio-Oncology Experts

Our cardiology and oncology teams are here to provide the best care to help you recover from your cancer treatment and prevent further complications in survivorship.

Our goals are to:

• Offer a team approach to cardiovascular and cancer care.
• Make it easy for you to schedule appointments, cardiac testing, and receive heart and vessel care.
• Offer a heart disease risk assessment before you start chemo, radiation, immunotherapy, stem cell transplant, or other cancer treatment.
• Detect and treat the negative effects of cancer treatment on the heart and vascular system.
• Improve cancer- and heart-related outcomes.
• Research the connections between cancer treatment and heart and vascular problems to improve care.

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2024-10-01.