Imaging of late complications of cancer therapy in children

Pediatr Radiol. 2017 Mar;47(3):254-266. doi: 10.1007/s00247-016-3708-6. Epub 2016 Dec 1.

Abstract

Long-term survival after childhood cancer has improved dramatically over recent decades but survivors face lifelong risks of adverse health effects. Many of these chronic conditions are a direct result of previous therapeutic exposures. Compared to their siblings, survivors face a greater than 8-fold increase in relative risk of severe or life-threatening medical conditions; the most significant of these include second malignancies and cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Imaging can play a key role in identifying and characterizing such complications, which can be reasonably predicted with knowledge of the child's treatment. This article highlights the varied radiologic presentations and features seen in late cancer-therapy-related conditions.

Keywords: Cancer therapy; Children; Computed tomography; Late effects; Magnetic resonance imaging; Radiography; Toxicities.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Diagnostic Imaging*
  • Humans
  • Morbidity*
  • Neoplasms / complications*
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Survivors*