Imaging plays a pivotal role in the care of oncologic patients, not only for the monitoring of treatment response but also for the detection and management of treatment-related complications. Systemic chemotherapies result in a broad spectrum of complications, some of which are relatively unique to particular agents. In addition to assessing for treatment effects, radiologists should be attuned to these specific complication risks in cancer patients.
In this exhibit, we will:
1. Review the common abdominal and pelvic imaging complications related to conventional systemic chemotherapy agents.
2. Highlight complications associated with newer molecularly targeted agents.
- Liver
o Hepatic steatosis due to irinotecan
o Hepatotoxicity due to oxaliplatin
o “Pseudocirrhosis” due to treated hepatic breast cancer metastases
- Spleen
o Splenic rupture due to granulocyte colony stimulating factor
- Pancreas
o Pancreatitis due to L-asparaginase
-Gastrointestinal tract
o Colitis due to ipilimumab
o Perforation due to bevacizumab
o Enteritis due to 5-fluorouracil, capcitabine, and paclitaxel
o Benign pneumatosis
- Kidneys
o Chronic renal failure/atrophy due to cisplatin and methotrexate
- Bladder
o Hemorrhagic cystitis due to cyclophosphamide
o Neurogenic bladder due to vincristine
Sheth, R,
Gervais, D,
Abdominal and Pelvic Imaging of Complications to Systemic Cancer Therapy. Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL.
http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14012119.html
