Oncological emergencies in radiology: Classic presentations and current challenges

The number of oncology patients requiring emergency care continues to rise. Many of these emergencies are life-threatening and may result either from the underlying malignancy or the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures employed. In this context, imaging techniques play a fundamental role by enabling early detection and guiding clinical management. Among the most challenging scenarios are opportunistic infections in patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, where pulmonary involvement presents a significant diagnostic challenge. In addition to being familiar with complications related to conventional treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, radiologists must also be able to recognise adverse effects associated with immunotherapy modalities, which can also require urgent consultations. This article provides an illustrative review of the main oncological emergencies, highlighting the radiologist's role in their identification.