Managing COVID-19 in Patients With Cancer: A Double Blow for Oncologists
Kamal Kant Sahu, Vishal Jindal, Ahmad Daniyal Siddiqui
Abstract
Currently, the world is facing a medical emergency because of the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV, or COVID-19).Within the past few months, the outbreak has turned rapidly from an epidemic to a pandemic. 1Researchers, scientists, and treating physicians are trying best to provide their patients with the best available treatment. 2 Given the severe immunosuppression caused by cancer and its therapy, patients with cancer are at a higher risk of COVID-19 infection.Until now, the most consistent risk factors for poor outcome in COVID-19 patients have been age, especially age .70 years; multiple comorbidities; and male sex.Other susceptible populations, for which we did not have any concrete data until today, include pregnant women and immunocompromised patients, like patients with cancer.However, the consensus is that patients with cancer, by virtue of being immunocompromised, should be considered a high-risk category.Most advanced oncology centers and cancer experts have issued their statements/advice that could be helpful for both the oncologists and patients with cancer along with their caregivers (Fig 1).In general, the highest risk group categories among patients with cancer, in which severe complications are more expected, are patients with hematologic malignancies, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, patients who are actively receiving chemotherapy for any type of cancer, and patients who recently underwent bone marrow transplantation.