Cardio issues post-Chemo?

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Chirps
Chirps Member Posts: 91

I'm looking for information about Cytoxan (Cyclophosphamide), relating to cardiotoxicity. I had Taxotere+Cytoxan (x4) in 2010.

I'm now enrolled in a "Healthy Heart" program (for women in general), where they're suggesting I undergo an echocardiogram to look for possible effects of cytoxan on my heart. I have no symptoms. Apparently there can be asymptomatic effects. These heart specialists plan to recommend helpful treatment(s) if the condition (weakened heart, from what I understand) is identified.

An echocardiogram is quite expensive! I'm wondering, if this is a "good idea" then why didn't my oncodoc recommend that I have one, maybe even before and again after my chemo? Or mention that I should have one in the future? My oncodoc is now retired.

Anthracyclines (incl Adriamycin) and Herceptin (used for HER2+) have reputations for being cardiotoxic. I've found very few places online that talk about cytoxan as being cardiotoxic.

Please share any insight you have---thanks!!

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