Quick Reference Guide to COVID-19 and Cancer-Quick Reference Guide to COVID-19 and Cancer

Quick Reference Guide to COVID-19 and Cancer

Pdf Summary

This document provides a quick reference guide to COVID-19 and its impact on cancer patients. It discusses the epidemiology of COVID-19 in cancer patients, highlighting their increased vulnerability to the virus. The document also covers the transmission of the virus through respiratory droplets and on surfaces, as well as the potential for fecal-oral transmission.<br /><br />In terms of diagnosis, the document mentions the standard criteria used in Hubei province, which includes a history of symptoms, radiographic evidence, or RT-PCR/NGS. CT findings are highly sensitive but not specific, with bilateral ground-glass opacities being the most common.<br /><br />The clinical syndromes of COVID-19 in cancer patients are discussed, with fever, cough, myalgia, fatigue, and shortness of breath being the most common symptoms. The document emphasizes that older patients are more likely to present with severe symptoms and have a higher risk of developing severe/critical disease, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).<br /><br />The document also provides information on key treatments being investigated for COVID-19, such as remdesivir, convalescent plasma, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir-ritonavir, and tocilizumab. It also mentions concerns regarding the use of NSAIDs and ACEi/ARBs in COVID-19 patients.<br /><br />The document highlights several themes from available guidelines and expert advice, including prevention strategies, anticipating and planning for potential challenges, minimizing harm to cancer patients, the importance of continuing cancer care, effective communication, and emotional support for both patients and healthcare providers.<br /><br />It also provides a list of guidelines and websites for further information and resources.

Keywords

COVID-19

cancer patients

epidemiology

vulnerability

transmission

diagnosis

clinical syndromes

treatments

prevention strategies

guidelines