Radiation Therapy-Induced Valvular Heart Disease: A Comprehensive Review with a Multi-Modality Imaging and Multidisciplinary Approach.

The increasing number of cancer survivors has highlighted the long-term cardiovascular implications of cancer treatment. Despite improvements in thoracic radiation therapy (RT) and cardiac sparing techniques, associated cardiovascular disease, most notably valvular heart disease (VHD), poses a significant challenge for cancer survivors. This systematic review examines the pathophysiology, prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of VHD in cancer patients, with a focus on RT-related VHD, emphasizing the need for active surveillance and multidisciplinary care. The incidence of VHD increases over time post-radiation exposure. Valve regurgitation is more common than stenosis, with the aortic valve being most frequently affected.