Behind the numbers and the panic of a viral pandemic: fixed restrictive oncology guidance may jeopardize patients' survival

J BUON. 2020 May-Jun;25(3):1277-1280.

Abstract

To protect cancer patients from COVID-19 exposure, prioritization strategies are being implemented at global level. Measures include use of tele-health services, deferring elective surgeries, delaying non life-saving therapies, interrupting maintenance and supportive care regimens and suspending screening and regular follow-up visits. Nonetheless, the risk of infection may not always outweigh oncology treatment benefit. Lives of most oncology patients depend on their ability to receive medical, surgical and radiotherapy care. Postponing screening, follow-up and radical surgeries increase patients' risk of developing metastatic disease. A viral pandemic lasts long time and exhibits seasonal and geographical variations. Though vaccines will be available only in the 2021, a global, aggressive, all-embracing and protracted slowdown of oncologic activities will severely jeopardize patients' outcomes. A present international oncologists' panel, ECPC and FAVO, strongly suggest that Hospital measures in a specific geographical area/Nation should be in line with the local epidemic, and restrictions adopted should be adapted and stratified over time.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19
  • Communicable Disease Control / organization & administration
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Europe / epidemiology
  • Global Health*
  • Humans
  • Medical Oncology / organization & administration
  • Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Pandemics / statistics & numerical data
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Risk Assessment
  • Survival Analysis
  • Telemedicine / organization & administration