An approach to cancer amid COVID-19 pandemic – Radiation oncologists perspective

Abstract

The background of this article is to provide a general information regarding the safety of the patients and health-care workers besides providing management guidelines for cancer patients in the current context of COVID 19 (SARS CoV-2) crisis. The treatment recommendations are prioritized as per the risk stratification till the current crisis is mitigated. The recommendations not only provides information in dealing with different malignancies treated either with curative or palliative intent but also ascertains the role of electronic media as an effective source of communication with patients whether on active or pending treatment or on follow-up, so that their anxiety levels and mental fears regarding their disease and future management plans amid COVID-19 pandemic are minimised.

Keywords

• covid-19 pandemic
• curative intent
• palliative care
• practice guidelines
• radiation oncology
• sars cov-2