Radiation therapy for gynecologic malignancies during the COVID-19 pandemic: International expert consensus recommendations. Gynecol Oncol 2020 Aug;158(2):244-253
Date
06/22/2020Pubmed ID
32563593Pubmed Central ID
PMC7294297DOI
10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.06.486Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85086516816 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 34 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: To develop expert consensus recommendations regarding radiation therapy for gynecologic malignancies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
METHODS: An international committee of ten experts in gynecologic radiation oncology convened to provide consensus recommendations for patients with gynecologic malignancies referred for radiation therapy. Treatment priority groups were established. A review of the relevant literature was performed and different clinical scenarios were categorized into three priority groups. For each stage and clinical scenario in cervical, endometrial, vulvar, vaginal and ovarian cancer, specific recommendations regarding dose, technique, and timing were provided by the panel.
RESULTS: Expert review and discussion generated consensus recommendations to guide radiation oncologists treating gynecologic malignancies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Priority scales for cervical, endometrial, vulvar, vaginal, and ovarian cancers are presented. Both radical and palliative treatments are discussed. Management of COVID-19 positive patients is considered. Hypofractionated radiation therapy should be used when feasible and recommendations regarding radiation dose, timing, and technique have been provided for external beam and brachytherapy treatments. Concurrent chemotherapy may be limited in some countries, and consideration of radiation alone is recommended.
CONCLUSIONS: The expert consensus recommendations provide guidance for delivering radiation therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific recommendations have been provided for common clinical scenarios encountered in gynecologic radiation oncology with a focus on strategies to reduce patient and staff exposure to COVID-19.
Author List
Elledge CR, Beriwal S, Chargari C, Chopra S, Erickson BA, Gaffney DK, Jhingran A, Klopp AH, Small W Jr, Yashar CM, Viswanathan ANAuthor
Beth A. Erickson MD Professor in the Radiation Oncology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
BetacoronavirusCoronavirus Infections
Female
Genital Neoplasms, Female
Humans
Infection Control
Pandemics
Pneumonia, Viral
Radiation Oncology
