Case-control study of risk factors for valvulopathy among childhood cancer survivors

Substantial improvements in childhood cancer survival have created a critical need to address long-term health complications, such as valvular heart disease (VHD). A case-control study of 225 childhood cancer survivors with VHD and 442 survivors without VHD, in 7 European countries, investigated risk factor for VHD. The study found that heart radiation therapy, high cumulative anthracycline doses, and exposure to platinum agents were associated with increased VHD risk. The heart radiation therapy dose response was exponential, and the risk increased with longer follow-up.