Oncological Care During the Covid-19 Pandemic (Literature Review)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to review the international experience in providing oncological care during the COVID-19 pandemic. A literature search was conducted across the Medline, Cochrane Library, Elibrary and PubMed databases to select publications dealing with various aspects reflecting the state and capacity of oncological care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research sample included 44 articles meeting the selection criteria.The new coronavirus, known as SARS-Cov-, has become a worldwide threat and a serious health problem in 2020. The pandemic of this infection has had an impact on the management of cancer patients. According to studies conducted in China and the United States, patients with malignancies are at higher risk of severe COVID-19. This has led many oncologists to change their daily cancer treatment practices. An individual approach should be taken when considering the potential risk and beneficial effects of anticancer therapy in the population of cancer patients. A decision to delay the onset of cancer therapy should be made on an individual basis. Strict adherence to sanitary and epidemiological rules, as well as minimization of outpatient visits, can reduce the number of the infected and prevent the spread of the disease among cancer patients. Telemedicine consultations, which allow infectious exposures to be reduced, can be an option of choice.