Medicus, Vol. 29 No. 2 COVID-19, 2020.
Review article
Prostate Cancer and COVID-19
Igor Tomašković
Abstract
Prostate cancer treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic underwent, as was the case with other diseases, significant changes. The uniqueness of this situation is reflected in the fact that the whole world has been affected and that healthcare systems, including care for cancer patients, was forced to adapt to the new situation. The availability of facilities, physicians, and other healthcare personnel, including the possibility of conducting treatment, varied around the world depending on the epidemiological situation. At the very beginning of the pandemic, all interventions, except the most urgent ones, were postponed to make room for the reception and care of patients with COVID-19. This period of the pandemic was marked by a delay in the treatment of prostate cancer, especially surgery, for the majority of patients, and became a great psychological burden for both patients and doctors. In countries that have brought the pandemic under control, the gradual easing of anti-epidemic public health measures has resulted in the normalization of healthcare and continuation of regular treatment of cancer patients.
Keywords
prostate cancer; COVID-19; prostate-specific antigen; PSA; screening; early detection; prostate cancer treatment
Hrčak ID:
244347
URI
Publication date:
30.9.2020.
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