COVID-19 Pandemic and Clinical Oncology Concerns

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this review article is concerns on thatcancer patients are regarded as a highly vulnerable group in the currentCoronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Methods: A literature search was performed using the PubMeddatabase and the Cochrane library. Search terms included ”novel coronavirus”or “2019-nCoV” and “clinical oncology”. Authors re- viewedcancer registry information, status, and treatments.Results: COVID-19-infected cancer patients were included and the lastanti-tumor treatment was within 14 days, it significantly increased therisk of developing severe events. Lung cancer was the most frequentcancer type. The common chest computed tomography (CT) findingswere ground- glass opacity and patchy consolidation. A total of patientshad severe events and the mortality rate was high. Furthermore, patchyconsolidation on CT on admission was associated with a higher risk ofdeveloping severe events.Conclusions: Cancer patients show deteriorating conditions and pooroutcomes from the COVID-19 infection. It is recommended that cancerpatients receiving anti-tumor treatments should have vigorous screeningfor COVID-19 infection and should avoid treatments causing immunosuppression or have their dosages decreased in case of COVID-19infection.