Abstract
Introduction: SARS-CoV2 is a worldwide health threat, which has as its main risk group patients with head and neck cancer. In the time being and in the chance of an emerging second wave of infection, a new protocol based on when to treat patients with head and neck cancer must be implemented. Aim: Reporting the handling protocols for patients with head and neck cancer, facilitating the clinician's decision in the pandemic scenario. Materials and Methods: A bibliographic search was performed in PubMed. A search strategy with descriptors was applied to the database, aiming at reaching scientific articles. The articles reached in such database had their titles and abstracts read in search for the adequacy to the objective proposed. Only scientific articles published between December 1st 2019, and July 10th 2020, were chosen. There was no restriction either on country or language. Literature review: New protocols were created based on the type and stage of cancer, classifying them in order to identify the ideal time to operate safely. Thus, the protocol has levels from initial to advanced, where the initial level comprises benign neoplasms, skin cancers smaller than 2 mm and cases in asymptomatic early stages, and the advanced level comprises malignant, aggressive neoplasms, with painful symptoms and/or that are compromising the other systems and organs. Conclusion: It is necessary to follow the detailed care protocol to guide the progress of head and neck cancer services, by operating patients immediately or postponing surgery, depending on the case and seriousness.
Highlights
severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV2 is a worldwide health threat, which has as its main risk group patients with head and neck cancer
SARS-CoV-2 is an emerging virus that causes coronavirus disease as from 2019 (COVID-19), which on March 11, 2020, it was characterized by World Health Organization (WHO) as a pandemic, provoking a deficit in the health system, and, the reduction of vacancies in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs)
The interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and head and neck cancers is given by the cytokines of the Interferon family (IFN)
Summary
SARS-CoV-2 is an emerging virus that causes coronavirus disease as from 2019 (COVID-19), which on March 11, 2020, it was characterized by World Health Organization (WHO) as a pandemic, provoking a deficit in the health system, and, the reduction of vacancies in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs). In view of the current pandemic and the risk of a second wave of infection, a fact that is occurring in countries that have had premature contact with the virus, a new safe care protocol for cancer patients has become necessary, based on their types, stages and symptomatology, since these patients are in the risk group for the new coronavirus and because hospitals are potential sites for viral transmission. The objective of this work is to report the management and care protocols of patients with head and neck cancer, facilitating the dentist's decision in this current pandemic scenario in Brazil or should there be a second wave of infection
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