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Radiation therapy for gynecologic malignancies during the COVID-19 pandemic: International expert consensus recommendations
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Radiation therapy for gynecologic malignancies during the COVID-19 pandemic: International expert consensus recommendations

Christen R Elledge, Sushil Beriwal, Cyrus Chargari, Supriya Chopra, Beth A Erickson, David K Gaffney, Anuja Jhingran, Ann H Klopp, William Small, Jr, Catheryn M Yashar, …
Gynecologic oncology, v 158(2), pp 244-253
01 Aug 2020
PMID: 32563593
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.06.486View
Published, Version of Record (VoR) Open

Abstract

Betacoronavirus - isolation & purification Coronavirus Infections - epidemiology Coronavirus Infections - prevention & control Coronavirus Infections - transmission COVID-19 Female Genital Neoplasms, Female - radiotherapy Genital Neoplasms, Female - virology Humans Infection Control - methods Infection Control - standards Pandemics - prevention & control Pneumonia, Viral - epidemiology Pneumonia, Viral - prevention & control Pneumonia, Viral - transmission Radiation Oncology - methods Radiation Oncology - standards SARS-CoV-2
To develop expert consensus recommendations regarding radiation therapy for gynecologic malignancies during the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. 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. 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.

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30 citations in Scopus

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Oncology
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