Multidisciplinary approach to COVID-19 and cancer: consensus from scientific societies in Argentina

Abstract

Introduction: The world is living through an outbreak of an acute respiratory syndrome caused by a new betacoronavirus known as coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2), which has been declared an international public health emergency by the World Health Organisation. Cancer patients are a very special population in this setting since they are more susceptible to viral infections than the general population. Several recommendations have been made on this issue, most of them based on expert opinion and institutional experience. It is essential to gather the evidence available for decision making. Objective: To review the evidence available in order to create a multi-institutional position from the perspective of scientific societies in Argentina involved in the management of cancer patients. Methodology: The review included two phases: 1) search and systematic revision of the medical literature; 2) consensus and revision of the document drafted by national scientific societies involved in the management and care of cancer patients using the modified Delphi method. The final results were presented at a videoconference with all the participants. Also, additional comment and recommendations were discussed. The final document was revised and approved for publication by the members of the panel.

Impact of stopping therapy during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in persons with lymphoma

“…Reducing cancer therapy intensity during the pandemic is not an evidence-based recommendation (Al-Shamsi et al 2020 ; Di Ciaccio et al 2020 ; ESMO 2020 ; Ismael et al 2020 ). However, decreased therapy intensity was reported by 24% of patients and caregiver respondents in our survey, and was associated with a higher incidence of anxiety and worse HRQoL.…”

“…2020). Recommendations from many professional societies suggest an individualized decision-making (Al-Shamsi et al 2020;Di Ciaccio et al 2020;ESMO 2020;Ismael et al 2020). The general thrust is to reduce therapy intensity in patients with cancer with concerns that cancer and treatment may lead to a higher risk of infections and worse coronavirus infectious disease-2019 (COVID-19) outcomes.…”

“…The severe acute respiratory virus coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic caused major changes also in health care support for patients with cancer worldwide (Maringe et al 2020 ; Shah et al 2019 ; Sud et al 2020 ; van de Haar et al 2020 ). Recommendations from many professional societies suggest an individualized decision-making (Al-Shamsi et al 2020 ; Di Ciaccio et al 2020 ; ESMO 2020 ; Ismael et al 2020 ). The general thrust is to reduce therapy intensity in patients with cancer with concerns that cancer and treatment may lead to a higher risk of infections and worse coronavirus infectious disease-2019 (COVID-19) outcomes.…”

Impact of stopping therapy during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in persons with lymphoma

“…Reducing intensity of cancer therapy during the pandemic is not an evidence-based recommendation (Al-Shamsi, et al 2020; Di Ciaccio, et al 2020; Ismael, et al 2020). However, decreased therapy intensity was reported by 24 percent of patients and caregiver respondents in our survey and was associated with a higher incidence of anxiety and worse HRQoL.…”

“…The severe acute respiratory virus coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic caused major changes also in health care support for patients with cancer worldwide (Maringe, et al 2020; Shah, et al; Sud, et al 2020; van de Haar, et al 2020). Recommendations from many professional societies suggest an individual based decision (Al-Shamsi, et al 2020; Di Ciaccio, et al 2020; Ismael, et al 2020). The general thrust is to reduce therapy intensity in patients with cancer with concerns that cancer and treatment may lead to a higher risk of infections and worse coronavirus infectious disease-2019 (COVID-19) outcomes.…”