Urgent considerations for the neuro-oncologic treatment of patients with gliomas during the COVID-19 pandemic
Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: The COVID-19 outbreak is posing unprecedented risks and challenges for all communities and healthcare systems, worldwide. There are unique considerations for many adult patients with gliomas who are vulnerable to the novel coronavirus due to older age and immunosuppression. As patients with terminal illnesses, they present ethical challenges for centers that may need to ration access to ventilator care due to insufficient critical care capacity. It is urgent for the neuro-oncology community to develop a pro-active and coordinated approach to the care of adults with gliomas in order to provide them with the best possible oncologic care while also reducing their risk of viral infection during times of potential healthcare system failure. In this article, we present an approach developed by an international multi-disciplinary group to optimize the care of adults with gliomas during this pandemic. We recommend measures to promote strict social distancing and minimize exposures for patients, address risk and benefit of all therapeutic interventions, pro-actively develop end of life plans, educate patients and caregivers and ensure the health of the multi-disciplinary neuro-oncology workforce. This pandemic is already changing neuro-oncologic care delivery around the globe. It is important to highlight opportunities to maximize the benefit and minimize the risk of glioma management during this pandemic and potentially, in the future.
Source: Neuro-Oncology
Institutions: University of Rochester Medicine, University of Rochester, Johns Hopkins University, Geisinger College of Health Sciences, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, University of Lausanne, NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz, University of Colorado Denver, Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Massachusetts General Hospital, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Wake Forest University, Erasmus MC, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W3015682294