A number of findings may be found after cancer therapy that may be mistaken for tumor progression. This may cause either an effective therapy to be discontinued or additional therapy be given.
Method of detection: MRI or CT scan
Features:
(1) The imaging studies are performed durring or relatively soon after therapy has been completed.
(2) One or both of the following may be found:
(2a) new focus or foci of contrast enhancement
(2b) previous lesion(s) show an enlarging area of contrast agent enhancement
(3) The changes subside or stabilize without a change in therapy, often associated with clinical improvement.
Pseudoprogression can be seen with any tumor but is more often reported for melanoma, brain tumors and lung cancers.
Differential diagnosis: true progression
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