Learning objectives
To know the imaging of the side effects related to the different types of oncological therapies to which the patients are subjected in order to diagnose the toxicity of new onset early,
distinguishing it from the progression of the disease.
Background
Currently cancer therapy can take advantage of a multimodal approach,
which has improved the expectation and quality of life of patients,
based on the combination of chemo-,
immuno- and radio-therapy.
Advances in pharmaceuticals and knowledge of cancer biology have led to the fact that chemotherapy,
to date,
is no longer based only on cytotoxic agents,
but also on new drugs,
able to act more selectively towards specific mutations of neoplastic cells.
Classical cytotoxic chemotherapy is based on drugs that act by interfering on the synthesis...
Findings and procedure details
ANTINEOPLASTIC DRUGS
Antineoplastic drugs can be used in combination with each other and the side effects affect multiple districts and organs both during the treatment and years after the end of therapy (tab.1).
Pulmonary adverse effects
The pulmonary system is among the most frequently involved in the toxicity linked to oncological therapies,
both from classical and molecular chemotherapeutic drugs (the most frequent are bleomycin,
methotrexate,
gefitinib),
which can cause interstitial/ hypersensitivity pneumonitis (fig.1),
pulmonary hemorrhage,
ARDS and pleural effusion,
which may be more or less...
Conclusion
The radiologist must be aware of the mechanisms of action of old and new anti-neoplastic drugs,
and of the type and timing of onset of related complications.
When evaluating images,
he must be aware of the patient's history and current and past treatments.
Early recognition of side effects,
even before the presentation of symptoms,
reduces morbidity and mortality,
directing the clinician to the correct therapeutic management.
Personal information
Dr.
Hu Jennifer
Resident in training.
Departement of Radiology,
Hospital GB Rossi,
Verona,
Piazzale Scuro,
Verona,
Italy.
Email:
[email protected]
Dr.
Campagnola Arianna
Resident in training.
Departement of Radiology,
Hospital GB Rossi,
Verona,
Piazzale Scuro,
Verona,
Italy.
Email:
[email protected]
Dr.
Zamboni Giulia
Departement of Radiology,
Hospital GB Rossi,
Verona,
Piazzale Scuro,
Verona,
Italy.
Email:
[email protected]
References
1.Torrisi JM,
Schwartz LH,
Gollub MJ,
Ginsberg MS,
Bosl GJ,
Hricak H.
CT Findings of Chemotherapy- induced Toxicity: What Radiologists Need to Know about the Clinical
and Radiologic Manifestations of Chemotherapy Toxicity.
Radiology.
2011;258(1): 41-56
2.Viswanathan C,
Truong MT,
Sagebiel TL,
Bronstein Y,
Vikram R,
Patnana M,
Silverman MD,
Bhosale PR.
Abdominal and Pelvic Complications of Non operative Oncologic Therapy.
RadioGraphics.
2014;34:941–961
3.Iyer R,
Jhingran A.
Radiation injury: imaging findings in the chest,
abdomen and pelvis after therapeutic radiation.
Cancer Imaging.
2006;6:131-139
4.Viswanathan C,
Carter...