Chemotherapy resumption in ovarian cancer patient diagnosed with COVID-19

Liontos, Michalis; Kaparelou, Maria; Karofylakis, Emmanouil; Kavatha, Dimitra; Mentis, Αndreas; Zagouri, Flora; Terpos, Evangelos; Dimopoulos, Meletios A.

doi:10.1016/j.gore.2020.100615

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…All asymptomatic patients diagnosed with the disease during screening, as well as most of the symptomatic patients that recovered from the infection, resumed treatment without sequalae. This adds to previously published data [ 35 ], and enhances the notion that cancer patients may safely continue their treatment post-COVID-19, following thorough evaluation by their treating physician, and after at least a 14-day period from symptomatic resolution. Recent publications and regulatory approvals of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines [ 36 , 37 ] have spread optimism that this pandemic could eventually be controlled.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 63%

Continuing Cancer Therapy through the Pandemic While Protecting Our Patients: Results of the Implementation of Preventive Strategies in a Referral Oncology Unit

Liontos

Kastritis

Markellos

et al. 2021

Cancers

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Cancer patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 have worse outcomes, including higher morbidity and mortality than the general population. Protecting this vulnerable group of patients from COVID-19 is of the utmost importance for the continuous operation of an oncology unit. Preventive strategies have been proposed by various societies, and centers around the world have implemented these or modified measures; however, the efficacy of these measures has not been evaluated. In our center, a referral oncology/hematology unit in Athens, Greece, we implemented strict protective measures from the outset of the pandemic in the country and we have prospectively recorded the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19. Among 11,618 patient visits performed in our unit, 26 patients (case-to-visit ratio of 0.22%) were found positive for SARS-CoV-2, including 4 (1%) among 392 patients that were screened before starting primary systemic treatment. Among patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, 22 were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis; subsequently, 12 required hospitalization and 5 died due to COVID-19. Detailed contact tracing indicated that there was no in-unit transmission of the infection. Thus, strict implementation of multilevel protective strategies along with a modestly intense screening program allowed us to continue cancer care in our unit through the pandemic.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 63%

Continuing Cancer Therapy through the Pandemic While Protecting Our Patients: Results of the Implementation of Preventive Strategies in a Referral Oncology Unit

Liontos

Kastritis

Markellos

et al. 2021

Cancers

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“…There was no re-activation of COVID-19 or pulmonary adverse events [17]. Similarly, chemotherapy was safely resumed (approximately a month after the positive PCR test) in a 60 years old lady with ovarian cancer who was infected with COVID-19 [18]. In both these cases chemotherapy was resumed after resolution of COVID symptoms and negative PCR test.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Continuation of Temozolomide Chemotherapy in a Glioblastoma Patient Post Resolution of COVID-19 Pneumonia

2022

Cancer Stud Ther J

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We present a case of a previously healthy 33 years old patient who presented with severe headaches and was found to have a right parietal lobe heterogeneously enhancing intra-axial neoplasm on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. He underwent a complete resection of the enhancing tumor volume. Pathology revealed a WHO grade IV astrocytoma, isocitrate dehydrogenase enzyme (IDH wild-type), O 6 -methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) unmethylated, positive CDKN2A loss (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor). He was subsequently treated as per the Stupp protocol with concurrent temozolomide and radiation followed by maintenance temozolomide. He was non-compliant with tumor treating fields which he self-discontinued after few months of treatment.After completion of 3 out of 6 temozolomide cycles, he was admitted for fever and upper abdominal pain. A COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was positive. He acquired this infection in the pre-COVID-19 vaccine era. Laboratory tests revealed normal WBC count of 4.8 K/UL, normal absolute neutrophil count (3.5 K/MM3), grade 2 lymphopenia with low absolute lymphocyte count (0.7 K/MM3). Computed tomography (CT) of the chest revealed patchy peripheral bibasilar ground glass and consolidative opacities compatible with pulmonary infection, with viral etiology such as COVID-19 (Figure 1A). He did not have pulmonary symptoms including shortness of

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“…When the epidemic was uneventful, these patients should consider surgery (5,6). Kobayashi et al (7) supported the above management recommendations, concluding that pre-operative chemotherapy can effectively alleviate the condition and not affect the prognosis of the patients (8). But subsequently, a study from Turkey showed that gynecological cancer surgery should continue during the COVID-19 pandemic while adhering to prevention and control measures.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

During the COVID-19 Epidemic: Recommendations for the Admission and Treatment of Patients With Ovarian Cancer

Zhang

et al. 2021

Front. Surg.

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Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had become a health care event endangering humans globally. It takes up a large number of healthcare resources. We studied the impact of COVID-19 on patients with ovarian cancer by comprehensively analyzing their admissions before and after the epidemic, and made reasonable suggestions to improve their current situation.Methods: We randomly divided the enrolled patients into three groups, PreCOVID-19 Group (PCG) (2019.8.20–2020.1.20), COVID-19 Group (CG) (2020.1.21–2020.6.14), and Secondary Outbreak COVID-19 Group (SOCG) (2020.6.15–2020.10.10). One-way ANOVA and chi-square test were used for analysis.Results: The number of patients from other provinces decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The total hospital stay during the epidemic was substantially more extended (p < 0.05). Before the epidemic, our department performed more open surgery while during the epidemic outbreak, we tended to choose laparoscopy (p < 0.01). We took a longer surgery time (P < 0.05). Patients had significantly less post-operative fever during the epidemic (p < 0.001).Conclusion: During the COVID-19 epidemic, no patient was infected with COVID-19, and no patient experienced severe post-operative complications. We recommend maintaining the admissions of patients with ovarian cancer during the epidemic following the rules: 1. The outpatients must complete a nucleic acid test and chest CT in the outpatient clinic; 2. Maintain full daily disinfection of the ward and insist that health care workers disinfect their hands after contact with patients; 3. Increase the use of minimally invasive procedures, including laparoscopy and robotics; 4. Disinfect the ward twice a day with UV light and sodium hypochlorite disinfectant; 5. Patients need to undergo at least three nucleic acid tests before entering the operating room.

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Chemotherapy resumption in ovarian cancer patient diagnosed with COVID-19

Abstract: Highlights Chemotherapy resumption after convalescence from COVID-19 is safe and feasible. No guidelines exist for resumption of chemotherapy in patients with COVID-19. Cancer patients on chemotherapy may develop SARS-CoV-2 antibodies less frequently.

Cited by 9 publications

References 9 publications

Continuing Cancer Therapy through the Pandemic While Protecting Our Patients: Results of the Implementation of Preventive Strategies in a Referral Oncology Unit

Continuing Cancer Therapy through the Pandemic While Protecting Our Patients: Results of the Implementation of Preventive Strategies in a Referral Oncology Unit

Continuation of Temozolomide Chemotherapy in a Glioblastoma Patient Post Resolution of COVID-19 Pneumonia

During the COVID-19 Epidemic: Recommendations for the Admission and Treatment of Patients With Ovarian Cancer

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