Medicus, Vol. 29 No. 2 COVID-19, 2020.
Review article
Cancer Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Juraj Prejac
Abstract
Patients with malignancies exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus may be at increased risk of developing a more severe clinical picture of COVID-19. This primarily refers to patients who are in active oncological treatment and are receiving chemotherapy, radiotherapy or other forms of specific treatment. To date, the diagnosis of the malignancy has been associated with an increased risk of developing a more severe form or even death from COVID-19. Furthermore, cancer patients may have an atypical presentation of the disease, while treatment complications may mimic COVID-19, such as pneumonitis and neutropenic fever. Moreover, lymphopenia, which is common in infections, may already be present as a result of chemotherapy. Given the above, clinical activities have been adapted to the circumstances surrounding the pandemic. Recommendations for physicians and patients include reducing patient and medical staff exposure, use of telemedicine, postponing outpatient non-urgent examinations, and adjusting the intensity and modality of administration of therapy when possible.
Keywords
COVID-19; pandemic; oncology; chemotherapy
Hrčak ID:
244343
URI
Publication date:
30.9.2020.
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