Cardio-oncology in multidisciplinary synergy: addressing the rising burden of cancer therapy-related cardiovascular toxicity (CTR-CVT) in advancing oncology practices

Introduction: Improvements in cancer detection and the development of modern anticancer therapies have markedly increased survival rates among patients with malignancies, resulting in a rapidly expanding survivor population. Alongside these advances, cardiovascular complications related to cancer treatment have emerged as a major clinical concern, significantly affecting long-term morbidity and mortality. The growing intersection between oncology and cardiovascular medicine has led to the development of cardio-oncology, a multidisciplinary field focused on balancing effective cancer treatment with cardiovascular safety. This review discusses current perspectives on the mechanisms, risk assessment, prevention, surveillance, and management of cancer therapy-related cardiovascular toxicity (CTR-CVT) in contemporary oncology practice. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. Relevant studies published between 2015 and 2025 were identified using predefined keywords related to cardio-oncology and cardiovascular toxicity. Eligible articles included clinical trials, observational studies, guidelines, and systematic reviews focusing on CTR-CVT. Studies were screened based on relevance, and key findings were synthesized narratively. Key-content and findings: CTR-CVT comprises diverse cardiovascular complications associated with both conventional and emerging anticancer therapies. Risk stratification tools such as HFA-ICOS facilitate early identification of high-risk patients and guide surveillance strategies. Early multidisciplinary management, particularly for severe toxicities such as immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated myocarditis, is essential to optimize both cardiovascular and oncologic outcomes. Conclusion: CTR-CVT represents a major challenge in contemporary oncology care. A multidisciplinary cardio-oncology approach integrating early risk assessment, preventive strategies, and structured monitoring is essential to balance oncologic efficacy with cardiovascular safety. Future research should focus on personalized risk prediction and targeted cardioprotection strategies.