Head and neck cancer radiotherapy amid COVID-19 pandemic: Report from Milan, Italy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Management of head and neck cancers (HNC) in radiation oncology in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era is challenging. Aim of our work is to report organization strategies at a radiation therapy (RT) department in the first European area experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We focused on (a) dedicated procedures for HNC, (b) RT scheduling, and (c) health care professionals' protection applied during the COVID-19 breakdown (from March 1, 2020 to April 30, 2020).

Results

Applied procedures are reported and discussed. Forty-three patients were treated. Image-guided, intensity modulated RT was performed in all cases. Median overall treatment time was 50 (interquartile range: 47-54.25) days. RT was interrupted/delayed in seven patients (16%) for s

SUBMITTER: Alterio D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7323327 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature