Abstract
OBJECTIVES:To report the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient attendance at a radiotherapy department two months after the implementation of specific policies regarding the pandemic.METHODS:The proposed treatment schemes, favoring hypofractionated schedules, and COVID-19 management strategies regarding irradiation are presented. Attendance after two months of implementation of these policies was measured and compared with that during the same period in 2019.RESULTS:A 10% reduction in the number of treated patients and a 26% reduction in the number of sessions was observed. The main impact was a decrease in the treatment of benign diseases and gastrointestinal tumors, with a general increase in breast cancer treatments. Eighteen (1.7%) patients were confirmed as having COVID-19 during radiotherapy in April and May 2020, three of whom were hospitalized, and one patient died because of COVID-19. Among the 18 patients, 12 had their treatments interrupted for at least 15 days from symptom appearance.CONCLUSION:There was a decrease in the number of treated patients in our radiotherapy department, with a greater decrease in the total number of sessions. This indicated, overall, a smaller number of fractions/patients treated, despite our efforts to maintain the treatment routine. We had several patients who were infected with COVID-19 and one related death during treatment in the first few months of the pandemic in São Paulo Brazil.
Highlights
Population-based studies suggest that cancer patients undergoing active treatment have a higher propensity for severe events related to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) [1,2]
This study reports the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the attendance of patients at the Radiotherapy Department two months after the implementation of specific policies regarding the pandemic
A specific challenge was presented as the hospital was designated as a reference center for COVID-19 treatment, and all efforts were directed toward COVID-19 treatment
Summary
Population-based studies suggest that cancer patients undergoing active treatment have a higher propensity for severe events related to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) [1,2]. Malignant tumors are more prevalent in older individuals, when comorbidities are usually present. Anticancer treatments may result in impairment of the immune system, causing these patients to be even more susceptible to the risks of coronavirus infection [3]. In this scenario, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented numerous challenges for cancer care professionals.
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