Review of Fusariosis in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies

Hematologic malignancies are among the most common cancers worldwide, with incidence nearly doubling between 1990 and 2019. Compared with the general population, patients with these malignancies are at significantly increased risk for invasive fungal disease (IFD) due to prolonged immunosuppression and neutropenia from chemotherapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplant, or the underlying disease itself. IFD contributes substantially to morbidity and infection-related mortality in this population, with reported mortality rates ranging from 29% to 90%. Among IFD infections, invasive fusariosis is one of the most lethal, with case fatality rates reaching 100% in certain organ systems. It frequently presents as a debilitating, multiorgan infection affecting the skin, bone, central nervous system, and cardiovascular structures. This review highlights the diverse clinical and imaging manifestations of invasive fusariosis in patients with hematologic malignancies, providing a multimodal overview of disease presentations, organ involvement, and treatment approaches based on published cases. Current diagnostic challenges are discussed, along with future strategies aimed at improving early recognition and management. Given the severity and poor outcomes associated with invasive fusariosis, greater awareness and education are essential to improve diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for this vulnerable population of patients with hematologic malignancies. Keywords: CT, Echocardiography, PET/CT, Ultrasound, MR-Imaging, Cardiac, CNS, Soft Tissues/Skin, Skeletal-Appendicular, Oncology, Leukemia, Infection, Fusariosis, Hematologic Malignancies, Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia © RSNA, 2025.