Heart failure and cancer: study probes deeper into the causative link

The perceived link between heart failure (HF) and cancer has received increasing attention in recent times. Although attributed to progressive ageing and the rise in risk factors for both conditions, it was hitherto not clear whether HF is associated with an excess risk of cancer and cancer-related mortality. A landmark study has assessed the cancer incidence and mortality in a large cohort of HF patients using anonymized administrative health care records from Puglia, a southern Italian region of about 4 million inhabitants.?

The study has found that cancer incidence and mortality in patients with HF were higher compared with matched control subjects. The excess risk spanned several common types of solid and hematologic malignancies in both males and females. Further, the study has highlighted the need for further experiential research to conclude whether the risk of cancer may be higher in patients with decompensated, more severe HF, which is the sudden onset of volume overload calling for immediate medical attention.

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