Cardiovascular diseases and cancer represent the largest disease burden worldwide.
Previously, these two conditions were considered independent, except in terms of cardiotoxicity,
which links cancer treatment to subsequent cardiovascular issues. However, recent
studies suggest that there are further connections between cancer and heart disease
beyond cardiotoxicity. It has been revealed that myocardial dysfunction may promote
carcinogenesis, indicating that additional common pathophysiological mechanisms might
be involved in the relationship between cardiology and oncology, rather than simply
a connection through cardiotoxic effects. These mechanisms may include shared risk
factors and common molecular pathways, such as persistent inflammation and neurohormonal
activation. This review explores the connection between myocardial dysfunction and
cancer, emphasizing their shared risk factors, similar biological mechanisms, and
causative factors like cardiotoxicity, along with their clinical implications.
