More people are living longer after a cancer diagnosis than at any time in the past thanks, in part, to new therapies and strategies for treating cancer. We know that cancer treatments may damage the heart and lead to cardiovascular problems. For instance, some chemotherapy agents can cause congestive heart failure, and many others can lead to a variety of cardiovascular problems, such as hypertension, arrhythmia, and autonomic neuropathy. Radiation therapies may also pose a risk to the health of your heart and may lead to late side effects such as premature coronary artery disease, valvular disease, pericardial disease and cardiac rhythm disturbances.

At RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey cardiology and oncology specialists are working together to offer individuals a structured Cardio-Oncology Program that is laser-focused on identifying and minimizing the risk of heart disease throughout the cancer journey - from diagnosis through survivorship. For patients with preexisting heart disease, we also take proactive steps to detect, monitor and treat cardiac conditions throughout a patient’s treatment.

The Program, one of only a few in the region, is currently offered at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark. When a cancer diagnosis occurs, before treatment starts, our oncology and cardiology teams collaborate to obtain a cardiac evaluation, which may include advanced imaging, electrophysiology and laboratory evaluations. We then develop an individualized treatment plan and continue prevention and screening techniques throughout the cancer therapy and subsequent follow-up.

Be sure to speak to your physician about our Cardio-Oncology Program.

Participating Physicians

Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey/Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Oncologists

Andrew M. Evens, DO, MSc, FACP

Deborah Toppmeyer, MD

Cardiologists

Sabha Bhatti, MD

John Kassotis, MD

Brandon Oberweis, MD
 

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center

Oncologists

Alice Cohen, MD

Maya M. Shah, MD

Cardiologists

Marc Cohen, MD, FACC

Sergio Waxman, MD, FACC