Imaging of Cancer Therapy-Induced Central Nervous System Toxicity

Cancer therapy, including radiation and chemotherapy, can be associated with harmful effects to the central nervous system. Recognition of classical neurotoxic syndromes is critical to appropriately guide and optimize patient management. As a result of cancer therapy-induced toxicity, patients may present with acute, subacute, and chronic neurologic symptoms that can be misinterpreted as tumor recurrence, infection, or paraneoplastic syndromes. In this review the advantages and limitations of various neuroimaging modalities such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography, frequently used in patients with cancer who present with diverse neurotoxic syndromes, are highlighted.