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Editorial
. 2020 Jun 2;172(11):756-758.
doi: 10.7326/M20-1133. Epub 2020 Mar 27.

A War on Two Fronts: Cancer Care in the Time of COVID-19

Alexander Kutikov  1 , David S Weinberg  1 , Martin J Edelman  1 , Eric M Horwitz  1 , Robert G Uzzo  1 , Richard I Fisher  1
Affiliations
Editorial

A War on Two Fronts: Cancer Care in the Time of COVID-19

Alexander Kutikov et al. Ann Intern Med. .

Abstract

Initial reports suggest that COVID-19 can be particularly lethal in patients with cancer. This commentary discusses how to balance a delay in cancer diagnosis or treatment against the risk for a potential COVID-19 exposure, mitigate the risks for significant care disruptions associated with social distancing behaviors, and manage the appropriate allocation of limited health care resources in this unprecedented time of health care crisis.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cancer chemotherapy; Cancer treatment; Drug delivery system preparation; Health care; Health care providers; Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer; Patients; Prevention, policy, and public health; Respiratory system procedures.

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Figures

Figure.
Figure.
Guidance on decisions about immediate cancer treatment during the COVID-19 crisis. Robust outcomes evidence supporting a decision to initiate or delay cancer care is often lacking. Recommendations in this figure are consensus-based and should be used as a general guideline only. Expert oncologic opinion tailored to individual patient and local health system conditions should always be obtained. COVID-19 = coronavirus 2019; HR+ = hormone receptor–positive; HER– = human epidermal growth factor receptor–negative.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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