Screening for COVID-19 in Symptomatic Cancer Patients in a Cancer Hospital

Fujiwara, Yu; Sato, Yasuyoshi; Wang, Xiaofei; Oikado, Katsunori; Satō, Yoshimichi; Fukuda, N.; Enokida, Taisuke; Takeda, Koichi; Ohkushi, Daisuke; Hayama, Brian; Egi, Yoko; Tokai, Yoshitaka; Yamada, Yumi; Nakajima, Yuki; Kubota, Motoko; Haruki, Satomi; Shimizu, Takako; Uchida, Yasuko; Utsugi, Kuniko; Ito, Yoshiaki; Ohno, Shinji; Takahashi, Shunji; Tsuchida, Takaaki

doi:10.1016/j.ccell.2020.09.017

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…In our study, a non-intensive approach was followed, and molecular testing was offered as a screening method only to cancer patients committed to begin a new treatment. Following this approach, the percentage of positive patients was significantly lower (1.0%) and was in accordance with previous reports from the first wave of the pandemic [16][17][18][19]. There are several factors that may contribute to the small number of patients that were detected positive for SARS-CoV-2 in our study.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

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: 92%

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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“…However, crizotinib-induced interstitial lung disease (ILD) can develop at the same time as SARS-CoV-2 infection. In real-world situations, before SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmation, lung adenocarcinoma, drug-induced ILD, and COVID-19 could be mimicked in images (for examples computerized tomography (CT) of the chest) that show ground-glass opacity and consolidation [ 20 , 21 ]…”

Section: Clinical Lung Injuries In Patients With Covid-19mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Dutch Association for Radiology created a standardized assessment of chest CT in COVID-19 pneumonia, the COVID-19 Reporting and Data System, with scores from 1 (highly unlikely) to 5 (highly likely) [ 20 ]. However, the specificity of CT remains low for differentiating COVID-19 in lung cancer patients[ 21 ].…”

Section: Clinical Lung Injuries In Patients With Covid-19mentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 and the lungs: A review

Chan

et al. 2021

Journal of Infection and Public Health

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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) attacks pulmonary alveolar cells via angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors and causes pulmonary infections that result in coronavirus disease (COVID-19), inducing immune responses that can result in severe pneumonia. We reviewed the clinical experiences of lung diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic to offer insights into the adaptations made by experts in the diagnosis and treatment of these comorbidities. Various lung comorbidities increase the severity of COVID-19 and associated mortality by amplifying ACE2 expression. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the use of routine diagnostic pulmonary imaging methods, making chest sonography scoring the most convenient, as it can be conducted bedside. Treatment protocols for SARS-CoV-2 infection and the underlying lung diseases are also affected owing to potential interactions. The optimal diagnostic methods and treatment protocols for lung diseases have been adapted worldwide to increase survival rates and attenuate acute lung injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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“…Patients with cancer are particularly vulnerable and have a high mortality rate ( Westblade et al., 2020 ); therefore, the nosocomial transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a cancer center has been of particular concern ( Bakouny et al., 2020 ; Liang et al., 2020 ). To prevent transmission in the operating room by asymptomatic carriers of SARS-CoV-2, we have established routine COVID-19 screening with questionnaire and CT scans for all pre-admission patients scheduled for cancer surgery ( Fujiwara et al., 2020 ). Screening with CT scans has a risk of false-negative results and incidental findings, which can lead to additional medical care including unnecessary tests, high costs, and patient anxiety ( Lumbreras et al., 2010 ; O’Sullivan et al., 2018 ).…”

Section: Main Textmentioning

confidence: 99%