1. Behind the numbers and the panic of a viral pandemic: fixed restrictive oncology guidance may jeopardize patients’ survival
- Author
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Mauri, Davide, Tzachanis, Dimitrios, Valachis, Antonis, Kamposioras, Konstantinos, Tolia, Maria, Dambrosio, Mario, Zarkavelis, Georgios, Gkoura, Stefania, Gazouli, Ioanna, De Lorenzo, Francesco, Apostolidis, Kathi, Antunac, Katarina, and Dedić Plavetić, Natalija more...
- Subjects
COVID-19 ,cancer patients ,survival ,Federation of Oncology Volunteer Associations (FAVO) ,European Cancer Patient Coalition (EPCC) - Abstract
To protect cancer patients from COVID-19 exposure, prioritization strategies are being implemented at global level. Measures include use of telehealth 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. more...
- Published
- 2020