While any number of chemotherapy medications can lead to cardiovascular disease in pediatric, adolescent and young adult patients, the most common are anthracyclines (for example, doxorubicin and mitoxantrone) and radiation therapy.
Other medicines shown to have effects on the cardiovascular system include cyclophosphamide, tyrosine kinase inhibitors and small molecule biological agents.
In addition to these medications, radiation therapy, alone and particularly in combination with medications, can lead to cardiovascular disease.
Not all patients who receive these therapies will develop cardiovascular disease, and overall it is rare.