Imaging the post-treatment pelvis with gynecologic cancers

Abstract

Gynecological malignancies, such as ovarian cancers, cervical cancers, and endometrial cancers, have a significant global impact. Women with gynecologic malignancies may receive a single or a combination of treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation-based therapies. Radiologists utilize various diagnostic imaging modalities to provide the surgeon with relevant information about the diagnosis, prognosis, optimal surgical strategy, and prospective post-treatment imaging. Computerized Tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used initially to evaluate and detect post-treatment complications. Although CT is primarily used for staging, MRI is commonly used for a more accurate evaluation of a tumor's size and detection of local invasion. Complications such as hematoma, abscess, inclusion cyst, seroma, tumor thrombosis, anorectovaginal fistula, and gossypiboma may occur after the three primary treatments, and systems such as the genitourinary, gastrointestinal, neurological, and musculoskeletal may be affected. In order to distinguish between early-onset and late-onset complications following gynecological treatment, radiological findings of the most common post-treatment complications will be presented in this review.

Keywords: Gynecological cancers; Imaging; Post-treatment.