Management of cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic:A narrative review

Objective:We wrote this review with the objective of helping the physicians to manage patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.Background:In the absence of specific curative treatments,COVID-19 exerted worldwide a dramatic impact on public health and socio-economic aspects.Patients with cancer represent a vulnerable population when suffering from COVID-19 infection since they usually present a series of risk factors such as immunosuppressed state,older age,comorbidities(e.g.,cardiovascular diseases,chronic lung disease,diabetes)and need for frequent hospitalizations and visits.A series of observational studies demonstrated that cancer patients infected with COVID-19,particularly with lung cancer,have a high rate of morbidity and mortality.Methods:We conducted a review of several observational studies and guidelines regarding the management of cancer patients in the context of COVID-19 infection.Conclusions:The oncologists,according to the main available recommendations,should carefully weigh risks/benefits when planning therapies and follow-up visits.They should defeat the“distraction effect”of the pandemic,which is represented by the risk of shifting attention away from standard therapeutic approach to COVID-19 only.In addition,health authorities should prioritize COVID-19 vaccinations for cancer patients with the aim of limiting the consequences of the pandemic in this particularly frail population.