Imaging of body complications in pediatric oncology: a review of the literature and our experience

Abstract

Childhood cancer is Aa rare condition, despite being the primary cause of disease-related deaths among children, particularly in developed countries. Along with increasing incidence rates, there has been a global decline in the number of deaths from childhood malignancies due to significant advances in diagnosis, risk stratification, treatment, response assessment, and surveillance. As a result, children with cancer are experiencing better outcomes with increased survival rates, leading to a higher incidence of life-threatening complications, including recurrence and second malignancies, compared to adults. Radiology plays a crucial role in detecting these conditions early to reduce their morbidity and mortality. However, only a limited number of studies have explored the sequelae in the pediatric cancer population and their radiologic implications. This article aims to provide an overview of imaging complications of cancer and cancer-related treatment unique to the pediatric population and to review the relevant literature.