Abstract
The effects of radiation and chemotherapy on the musculoskeletal (MSK) system are
diverse, and interpretation may be challenging. The different lines of treatment have
effects on diseased and normal marrow, and they may lead to complications that must
be differentiated from recurrence or progression. This review analyzes the changes
induced by radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the MSK system in the adult and pediatric
population, and the expected associated imaging findings. Treatments are often combined,
so the effects may blend. Awareness of the spectrum of changes, complications, and
their imaging appearances is paramount for the correct diagnosis. The assessment of
body composition during and after treatment allows potential interventions to implement
long-term outcomes and personalize treatments. Imaging techniques such as computed
tomography or magnetic resonance imaging provide information on body composition that
can be incorporated into clinical pathways. We also address future perspectives in
posttreatment assessment.
Keywords
chemotherapy - radiotherapy - bone marrow imaging - oncologic imaging - magnetic resonance
imaging