Arterial Hypertension

Recent progresses in the field of anticancer therapy have dramatically reduced the morbidity and mortality from many forms of malignacy. Arterial hypertension is the most common cardiovascular comorbidity encountered in oncologic patients, and according to some studies, it may be a potential risk factor for specific cancer types. Cancer patients affected by hypertension are at higher risk for the development of cardiac adverse events after specific antineoplastic treatments, specifically anthracyclines. Moreover, new-onset hypertension has emerged as an adverse event for several cancer therapies, in particular for the newer anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents. A fundamental issue with cancer patients is therefore that hypertension must be carefully diagnosed and treated in order to prevent both early and late cardiotoxic effects of anticancer agents. At the same time, achieving optimal target values of blood pressure during anticancer treatment must be adaptable to changing status of the patient being treated for cancer.