The 3 Bs of cancer care amid the COVID‐19 pandemic crisis: “Be safe, be smart, be kind”—A multidisciplinary approach increasing the use of radiation and embracing telemedicine for head and neck cancer

Abstract

Because of the national emergency triggered by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, government‐mandated public health directives have drastically changed not only social norms but also the practice of oncologic medicine. Timely head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment must be prioritized, even during emergencies. Because severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 predominantly resides in the sinonasal/oral/oropharyngeal tracts, nonessential mucosal procedures are restricted, and HNCs are being triaged toward nonsurgical treatments when cures are comparable. Consequently, radiation utilization will likely increase during this pandemic. Even in radiation oncology, standard in‐person and endoscopic evaluations are being restrained to limit exposure risks and preserve personal protective equipment for other frontline workers. The authors have implemented telemedicine and multidisciplinary conferences to continue to offer standard‐of‐care HNC treatments during this uniquely challenging time. Because of the lack of feasibility data on telemedicine for HNC, they report their early experience at a high‐volume cancer center at the domestic epicenter of the COVID‐19 crisis.

The role of teledentistry in oral cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: an integrative literature review

“…Included studies were conducted in Brazil [ 30 – 32 ], England [ 33 ], Hong Kong [ 34 ], Italy [ 35 , 36 ], India [ 37 ], Saudi Arabia [ 4 ], and USA [ 38 , 39 ], all published in English.…”

Teleoncology or telemedicine for oncology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: the new normal for breast cancer survivors?

“…Therefore it is crucial to select carefully the appropriate patient group that can benefit from telemedicine in terms of making minimal mistakes in the treatment and follow-up processes. One of the best examples of telemedicine experiences during the pandemic was performed by Kang et al In this study, 27% of patients with head and neck cancer required in-person care for a status check, whereas in follow-up visits no in-person care was required [ 12 ].…”

Telehealth Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perception Among Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Cancer Patients

“…Laboratory and imaging studies for the patients in this study were done on an outpatient basis, usually at locations convenient for the patient, demonstrating the utility of telehealth beyond the COVID-19 pandemic to provide remote follow-up care. Others have similarly found that telehealth visits often suffice in meeting cancer patient needs without further in-person care [ 22 , 23 ]. Although the authors' study found that certain cancer patients were more or less likely to prefer telehealth, it is imperative that providers accommodate patient preferences while continuing to provide appropriate clinical care.…”