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Troncone G. Trends in the practice of molecular cytopathology in response to the COVID pandemic. Cytopathology 2023; 34:417-418. [PMID: 37291942 DOI: 10.1111/cyt.13257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In the recent pandemic emergency caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), most activities in many areas of medicine have undergone a remarkable reduction. The health emergency has underlined the evolving role of cytopathology that is increasingly playing a remarkable role in providing oncologists and other physicians with timely information on personalised modern treatment of cancer diagnosed by cytological means.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giancarlo Troncone
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Stella GM, Chino V, Putignano P, Bertuccio F, Agustoni F, Saracino L, Tomaselli S, Saddi J, Piloni D, Bortolotto C. CT Scan-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology for Lung Cancer Diagnosis through the COVID-19 Pandemic: What We Have Learned. Tomography 2023; 9:759-767. [PMID: 37104132 PMCID: PMC10143076 DOI: 10.3390/tomography9020061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and rationale. Novel coronavirus-related disease (COVID-19) has profoundly influenced hospital organization and structures worldwide. In Italy, the Lombardy Region, with almost 17% of the Italian population, rapidly became the most severely affected area since the pandemic beginning. The first and the following COVID-19 surges significantly affected lung cancer diagnosis and subsequent management. Much data have been already published regarding the therapeutic repercussions whereas very few reports have focused on the consequences of the pandemic on diagnostic procedures. Methods. We, here, would like to analyze data of novel lung cancer diagnosis performed in our Institution in Norther Italy where we faced the earliest and largest outbreaks of COVID-19 in Italy. Results. We discuss, in detail, the strategies developed to perform biopsies and the safe pathways created in emergency settings to protect lung cancer patients in subsequent therapeutic phases. Quite unexpectedly, no significant differences emerged between cases enrolled during the pandemic and those before, and the two populations were homogeneous considering the composition and diagnostic and complication rates. Conclusions. By pointing out the role of multidisciplinarity in emergency contexts, these data will be of help in the future for designing tailored strategies to manage lung cancer in a real-life setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Maria Stella
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Unit of Respiratory Diseases, Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0382-03369; Fax: +39-0382-502719
| | - Vittorio Chino
- Unit of Respiratory Diseases, Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- University of Pavia Medical School, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Paola Putignano
- Unit of Respiratory Diseases, Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- University of Pavia Medical School, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesco Bertuccio
- Unit of Respiratory Diseases, Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- University of Pavia Medical School, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesco Agustoni
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Unit of Oncology, Department of Oncology, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Laura Saracino
- Unit of Respiratory Diseases, Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefano Tomaselli
- Unit of Respiratory Diseases, Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Jessica Saddi
- Unit of Radiation Therapy, Department of Oncology, Clinical-Surgical, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- University of Milano-Bicocca, 20159 Milano, Italy
| | - Davide Piloni
- Unit of Respiratory Diseases, Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Chandra Bortolotto
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Unit of Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Imaging Services, University of Pavia Medical School, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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Pisapia P, Pepe F, Gristina V, La Mantia M, Francomano V, Russo G, Iaccarino A, Galvano A. A narrative review on the implementation of liquid biopsy as a diagnostic tool in thoracic tumors during the COVID-19 pandemic. MEDIASTINUM (HONG KONG, CHINA) 2022; 5:27. [PMID: 35118332 PMCID: PMC8794438 DOI: 10.21037/med-21-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Objective In this review, we evaluate the role of liquid biopsy in managing lung cancer patients during the still ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) healthcare emergency. Background The novel influenza coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2) has upended several aspects of our lives, including medical activities. In this setting, many routine cancer diagnostic and therapeutic procedures have been suspended, leading to delays in diagnosis, treatments, and, ultimately, increases in cancer mortality rates. Equally drastic has been the impact of COVID-19 on clinical trials, many of which have been stalled or have never begun. This has left many patients who were hoping to receive innovative treatments in a limbo. Although, as of today, the introduction of drastic security measures has been crucially important to contain the pandemic, one cannot ignore the need to continue providing chronically ill patients all the health care they need, in terms of detection, prevention, and treatment. In these unprecedented times, liquid biopsy, more than ever before, may play a relevant role in the adequate management of these frail patients. Methods we performed a deep analysis of the recent international literature published in English on PUBMED in the last six months focused on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the management of lung cancer patients, focusing the attention on the role of liquid biopsy. Conclusions COVID-19 pandemic has significantly modified our lives and overall medical practice. In these unprecedented times, liquid biopsy may represent a valid and less time-consuming diagnostic approach than conventional tissue and cytological specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Pisapia
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Pepe
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Valerio Gristina
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria La Mantia
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Gianluca Russo
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonino Iaccarino
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Galvano
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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