Elsevier

European Journal of Cancer

Volume 140, November 2020, Pages 86-104
European Journal of Cancer

Original Research
Evidence-based management of COVID-19 in cancer patients: Guideline by the Infectious Diseases Working Party (AGIHO) of the German Society for Haematology and Medical Oncology (DGHO)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2020.09.009Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Highlights

  • Cancer patients are vulnerable to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and severe COVID-19.

  • Comprehensive management strategies are required in care for cancer patients.

  • Evidence-based recommendations help clinicians make informed treatment decisions.

  • Providing state-of-the-art cancer care is possible during COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

Since its first detection in China in late 2019 the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the associated infectious disease COVID-19 continue to have a major impact on global healthcare and clinical practice. Cancer patients, in particular those with haematological malignancies, seem to be at an increased risk for a severe course of infection. Deliberations to avoid or defer potentially immunosuppressive therapies in these patients need to be balanced against the overarching goal of providing optimal antineoplastic treatment. This poses a unique challenge to treating physicians. This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations regarding prevention, diagnostics and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 as well as strategies towards safe antineoplastic care during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was prepared by the Infectious Diseases Working Party (AGIHO) of the German Society for Haematology and Medical Oncology (DGHO) by critically reviewing the currently available data on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 in cancer patients applying evidence-based medicine criteria.

Keywords

COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2
Coronavirus
Cancer
Haematological malignancy
Guideline

Cited by (0)

1

Contributed equally as senior authors.