Imaging in childhood cancer: A society for pediatric radiology and children's oncology group joint task force report

Contemporary medical imaging is a cornerstone of care for children with cancer. As 5-year survival rates for children with cancer exceed 80%, imaging technologies have evolved in parallel to include a wide array of modalities. Here, we overview the risks and benefits associated with commonly used imaging modalities and survey the current landscape of medical imaging for children with cancer. We find evidence-based imaging guidelines to assist in protocol development and to guide decision-making for optimal patient care are often lacking. The substantial variation in protocol-based recommendations for imaging both during and following therapy may hinder optimal clinical research and clinical care for children with cancer.