Palliative radiation therapy for oncologic emergencies in the setting of COVID-19: Approaches to balancing risks and benefits Editorial
| Authors: | Yerramilli, D.; Xu, A. J.; Gillespie, E. F.; Shepherd, A. F.; Beal, K.; Gomez, D.; Yamada, J.; Tsai, C. J.; Yang, T. J. |
| Title: | Palliative radiation therapy for oncologic emergencies in the setting of COVID-19: Approaches to balancing risks and benefits |
| Abstract: | Palliation of metastatic disease compromises a significant portion of radiation treatments in the United States. These patients present a unique challenge in resource-limited settings, as expeditious treatment is often required to prevent serious morbidity. In order to reduce the risk of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 and maximize the benefit to patients, we present evidence-based recommendations for radiation in patients with oncologic emergencies. Radiation oncologists with expertise in the treatment of metastatic disease at a high-volume comprehensive cancer center reviewed the available evidence and recommended best practices for the treatment of common oncologic emergencies, with attention to balancing the risk of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 and the potential morbidity of delaying treatment. Many prospective trials and national guidelines support the use of abbreviated courses of radiotherapy for patients with oncologic emergencies. As such, in the setting of the current coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the use of hypofractionated radiation therapy for patients requiring palliation for oncologic emergencies achieves desirable functional outcomes without compromising care. © 2020 The Author(s) |
| Keywords: | risk benefit analysis; bone metastasis; cancer radiotherapy; cancer palliative therapy; patient assessment; cancer center; spinal cord compression; clinical evaluation; brain metastasis; emergency care; tumor bleeding; infection risk; emergency health service; airway obstruction; superior cava vein syndrome; pandemic; hypofractionated radiotherapy; human; priority journal; article; radiation oncologist; high volume hospital; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; coronavirus disease 2019 |
| Journal Title: | Advances in Radiation Oncology |
| Volume: | 5 |
| Issue: | 4 |
| ISSN: | 2452-1094 |
| Publisher: | Elsevier Inc. |
| Date Published: | 2020-07-01 |
| Start Page: | 589 |
| End Page: | 594 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.adro.2020.04.001 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PMCID: | PMC7194647 |
| PUBMED: | 32363243 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Article -- Export Date: 1 September 2020 -- Source: Scopus |
Altmetric
Citation Impact
BMJ Impact Analytics
MSK Authors
Related MSK Work