MRI Detects Early Effects of Chemotherapy on Children’s Hearts

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of children who have had chemotherapy have been shown to detect early changes in their hearts.

The study’s findings were published June 10, 2013, in biomed Central’s open access Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance. Chemotherapy with anthracyclines, such as doxorubicin, is one of the most effective treatments against many types of cancer, including Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, and breast, lung, and ovarian cancer. However, it can also lead to irreversible heart damage, which may not be evident until several years after treatment. Having the capacity to identify this damage early, in order to begin preventative therapy of affected individuals, is especially important in children.

Researchers from the University of Alberta (Canada) performed MRI scans on children and young adults (aged 7 to 19) at the Stollery Children’s Hospital who were in remission following anthracycline treatment. They discovered that they were able to identify changes in heart muscle related to the formation of fibrosis, using a new MRI technology called T1 mapping, even in children whose heart function was seemingly typical by ultrasound.

The study was led by Dr. Edythe Tham and Dr. Richard Thompson, and they concluded, “In childhood cancer survivors, MRI changes were related to anthracycline dose given to the children. These changes are also mirrored by thinning of the heart wall and a reduction in the exercise capacity. By detecting these changes early we can only hope that future research using these techniques may guide early identification and treatment in attempts to delay the onset of heart damage in children who have survived cancer.”

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