COVID-19 and head and neck cancer treatment
Kumar Prabhash, Vijay Patil, Vanita Noronha, Pankaj Chaturvedi, Kaustav Talapatra, Amit Joshi, Nandini Menon, Durgatosh Pandey
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is exponentially increasing, as are the risks of COVID-related complications and fatalities. Hence, health-care resources are being allocated for its management. Cancer treatment has taken a back seat in multiple countries due to resource scarcity and the risk of COVID-19-related complications. Head and neck cancer is no different. Probably, by the time COVID-related data get generated specifically for head and neck cancers, either the pandemic will be over, or it will be too late. Hence, there is an urgent need for guidance for head and neck cancer treatment in this situation. In this review article, we have provided evidence-based guidance for selecting the most appropriate therapy in the current pandemic situation.