Practical aspects of setting up a cardio-oncology unit

Introduction Cardiovascular management of cancer patients represents a major challenge, since cancer and cardiovascular disease often coexist, and anticancer treatments can be the cause of cardiac or vascular toxicity. It is therefore vital to specifically organize cardiovascular follow-up for patients who are due to receive potentially cardio-toxic treatment. Improved management and the development of specific research require teams and structures bringing together cardiologists and oncologists, who have acquired interdisciplinary expertise. In this context, the creation of a cardio-oncology unit has emerged.Methods In this paper, we examine the managerial and academic aspects of a project to set up a cardio-oncology unit in the cardiology department of the Tunis Military Hospital.Results An inventory of the difficulties involved in caring for cancer patients was drawn up using an ISHIKAWA diagram. Among the obstacles identified, poor knowledge of anticancer treatments and their toxicities, as well as the absence of close collaboration between the different medical teams, were cited.