Implications of COVID-19 pandemic on lung cancer management: A multidisciplinary perspective

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2020 Dec:156:103120. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.103120. Epub 2020 Oct 10.

Abstract

Treatment of patients with lung cancer during the current COVID-19 pandemic is challenging. Lung cancer is a heterogenous disease with a wide variety of therapeutic options. Oncologists have to determine the risks and benefits of modifying the treatment plans of patients especially in situation where the disease biology and treatment are complex. Health care visits carry a risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and the similarities of COVID-19 symptoms and lung cancer manifestations represent a dominant problem. Efforts to modify treatment of lung cancer during the current pandemic have been adapted by many healthcare institutes to reduce exposure of lung cancer patients to SARS-CoV-2. We summarized the implications of COVID-19 pandemic on the management of lung cancer from the perspective of different specialties of thoracic oncology multidisciplinary team.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cancer management; Lung cancer; Multidisciplinary.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Lung Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Pandemics*
  • Pneumonia, Viral*
  • SARS-CoV-2