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Ali N, Ghalibafian M, Sykes-Martin K, Parkes J, Qureshi B, Esiashvili N. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on delivery of pediatric radiotherapy: A critical review. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2023:e30446. [PMID: 37243393 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has prevented the timely diagnosis and treatment of many diseases, including pediatric cancer. Its impact on pediatric oncologic treatments warrants investigation. As radiotherapy is an integral component of cancer care, we reviewed the published data regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of pediatric radiotherapy to inform actions for future global events. We found that disruptions in radiotherapy were reported amongst interruptions in other therapies. Disruptions were more common in low-income countries (78%) and low middle-income countries (68%) compared with upper middle-income countries (46%) and high-income countries (10%). Several papers included recommendations for mitigation strategies. Altered treatment regimens were common, including increasing the use of active surveillance and systemic therapy to delay local therapies, and accelerated/hypofractionated dose delivery. Our findings suggest that COVID-19 has impacted radiotherapy delivery in the pediatric population globally. Countries with limited resources may be more affected. Various mitigation strategies have been developed. The efficacy of mitigation measures warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naba Ali
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Mithra Ghalibafian
- Mahak Pediatric Cancer Treatment and Research Center, Radiation Oncology, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Jeannette Parkes
- Radiation Oncology, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Bilal Qureshi
- Radiation Oncology, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Natia Esiashvili
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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McGovern SL, Wages C, Dimmitt A, Sanders C, Martin D, Ning MS, Manning R, Amin M, Zhu XR, Frank SJ, Gunn GB. Proton Therapy in a Pandemic: An Operational Response to the COVID-19 Crisis. Int J Part Ther 2020; 7:54-57. [PMID: 33094136 PMCID: PMC7574828 DOI: 10.14338/ijpt-20-00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Susan L McGovern
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Cody Wages
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andrew Dimmitt
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christopher Sanders
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Deanna Martin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Matthew S Ning
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Rochelle Manning
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mayank Amin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - X Ronald Zhu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Steven J Frank
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - G Brandon Gunn
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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