Management strategy for cancer patients in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic

Abstract

Coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged a very dangerous infectious disease that occurs as an acute respiratory viral infection with complications, including pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome or respiratory failure with a risk of death. As already confirmed, COVID-19 is caused by the new severe acute respiratory syndrome-2 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). We describe our strategy for the management of cancer patients based on the experience of the medical staff of the Regional Clinical Oncology Center of the Republic of Bashkortostan. We hope this can serve as a guide for oncologists to provide emergency care in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus; Emergency care; Glioblastoma multiforme; Oncology.

Fig. 1

CT of the chest from April 21, 2020 demonstrating bilateral polysegmental pneumonia. Bilateral pleurisy (lesion volume 13 points).

Fig. 2

CT of the chest from April 26, 2020 revealing bilateral polysegmental pneumonia. In comparison with the study obtained on April 21, 2020, there was an increase in the density of the infiltrative changes, without a visible increase in their volume.