Measures of infection prevention and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
Creators: name: Matuschek, Christiane
name: Fischer, Johannes C.
name: Combs, Stephanie E.
name: Fietkau, Rainer
name: Corradini, Stefanie
name: Zänker, Kurt
name: Bölke, Edwin
name: Djiepmo-Njanang, Freddy-Joel
name: Tamaskovics, Balint
name: Fischer, Joachim E.
name: Stuschke, Martin
name: Pöttgen, Christoph
name: Förster, Robert
name: Zwahlen, Daniel R.
name: Papachristofilou, Alexandros
name: Ganswindt, Ute
name: Pelka, Rainer
name: Schneider, E. Marion
name: Feldt, Torsten
name: Jensen, Björn Erik Ole
name: Häussinger, Dieter
name: Knoefel, Wolfram Trudo
name: Kindgen-Milles, Detlef
name: Pedoto, Alessia
name: Grebe, Olaf
name: Van Griensven, Martijn
name: Budach, Wilfried
name: Haussmann, Jan
Publisher: name: Universität Ulm
Year: 2020
Subjects: subject: Oncology
subject: Radiation oncoloy
subject: Pandemic
subject: DDC 610 / Medicine &amp; health
subject: COVID-19
subject: Neoplasms; Radiotherapy
subject: Patient care
subject: COVID-19
subject: Onkologie
subject: Strahlentherapie

description: Abstract Purpose COVID-19 infection has manifested as a major threat to both patients and healthcare providers around the world. Radiation oncology institutions (ROI) deliver a major component of cancer treatment, with protocols that might span over several weeks, with the result of increasing susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and presenting with a more severe clinical course when compared with the general population. The aim of this manuscript is to investigate the impact of ROI protocols and performance on daily practice in the high-risk cancer patients during this pandemic. Methods We addressed the incidence of positive COVID-19 cases in both patients and health care workers (HCW), in addition to the protective measures adopted in ROIs in Germany, Austria and Switzerland using a specific questionnaire. Results The results of the questionnaire showed that a noteworthy number of ROIs were able to complete treatment in SARS-CoV‑2 positive cancer patients, with only a short interruption. The ROIs reported a significant decrease in patient volume that was not impacted by the circumambient disease incidence, the type of ROI or the occurrence of positive cases. Of the ROIs 16.5% also reported infected HCWs. About half of the ROIs (50.5%) adopted a screening program for patients whereas only 23.3% also screened their HCWs. The range of protective measures included the creation of working groups, instituting home office work and protection with face masks. Regarding the therapeutic options offered, curative procedures were performed with either unchanged or moderately decreased schedules, whereas palliative or benign radiotherapy procedures were more often shortened. Most ROIs postponed or cancelled radiation treatment for benign indications (88.1%). The occurrence of SARS-CoV‑2 infections did not affect the treatment options for curative procedures. Non-university-based ROIs seemed to be more willing to change their treatment options for curative and palliative cases than university-based ROIs. Conclusion Most ROIs reported a deep impact of SARS-CoV‑2 infections on their work routine. Modification and prioritization of treatment regimens and the application of protective measures preserved a well-functioning radiation oncology service and patient care.