The COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A Rapid Global response for Children with Cancer from SIOP, COG, SIOP-E, SIOP-PODC, IPSO, PROS, CCI and St Jude Global

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most serious global challenges to delivering affordable and equitable treatment to children with cancer we have witnessed in the last few decades. This Special Report aims to summarise general principles for continuing multi-disciplinary care during the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. With contributions from the leadership of the International Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOP), Children's Oncology Group (COG), St Jude Global programme and Childhood Cancer International, we have sought to provide a framework for healthcare teams caring for children with cancer during the pandemic. We anticipate the burden will fall particularly heavily on children, their families and cancer services in low-and middle-income countries. Therefore, we have brought together the relevant clinical leads from SIOP-Europe, COG and SIOP-PODC (Pediatric Oncology in Developing Countries) to focus on the six most curable cancers that are part of the WHO Global Initiative in Childhood Cancer. We provide some practical advice for adapting diagnostic and treatment protocols for children with cancer during the pandemic, the measures taken to contain it (e.g. extreme social distancing) and how to prepare for the anticipated recovery period.

Initial report on Spanish pediatric oncologic, hematologic, and post stem cell transplantation patients during SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic

“…In our cohort, half of the patients interrupted their anticancer treatment due to the infection. Recent guidelines published 27 for children with cancer recommend that the standards of care should not be compromised during the pandemic. We recommend individualized multidisciplinary discussions whenever a COVID‐19 case is identified for deciding on interrupting or delaying anticancer therapy.…”

COVID‐19 – Impact on Childhood Haematology Patients

“…International consensus guidance on prioritizing diagnosis and treatment for pediatric cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic have recently been published. 24 …”

Clinical characteristics and evolution of pediatric patients with acute leukemia and SARS-COV2 virus infection in a third level hospital in Mexico

“…Febrile neutropenia is the most common infection-related complication, followed by documented upper respiratory tract infections, ear, bloodstream and gastrointestinal tract [ 8 ]. In relation to COVID-19 infection and acute leukemia, few cases have been reported so far, and the clinical course of those that have been described consists of mild to moderately severe respiratory syndrome, although there are anecdotal reports of serious infections and fatal outcomes [ 9 ].…”