BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women worldwide
nevertheless, the prognosis is good, with a 5-year overall survival of 80-90%. Therefore, it becomes crucial to strive for high quality of life after cure by minimizing treatment-related toxicity. One such concern is radiation-induced heart disease, which remains a significant focus of ongoing investigations. PURPOSE: The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge on radiation-induced heart disease in breast cancer patients by giving an overview of its epidemiology, risk factors, radiation parameters related to its development, solutions in radiation practice, and prevention. The goal is to raise awareness and maximize prevention of radiation-induced heart disease. METHODS: The PubMed database was screened for articles published between January 2013 and November 2023 related to the keywords <
breast cancer>
, <
radiotherapy>
, <
cardiac toxicity>
, and <
heart-sparing techniques>
. Moreover, by screening the literature lists of these publications, additional articles were added. RESULTS: Ninety-four relevant papers remained for final review. CONCLUSION: Radiation-induced heart disease is a rare complication after breast cancer radiotherapy and represents a clinical spectrum of various cardiovascular conditions. Several heart-sparing techniques have been developed, and more attention has been paid to early diagnosis and prevention of radiation-induced heart disease. However, further research remains important to refine radiotherapy techniques and deepen our understanding for improved prevention and treatment of this condition in the future. This clinical review summarizes the existing evidence and literature on radiation-induced heart disease following modern breast cancer radiotherapy, offering clinical guidance for physicians.