REMEDIUMREMEDIUM1561-59362658-3534Joint-Stock Company Chicot170910.32687/1561-5936-2024-28-2-125-129Original ArticleOrganisation of oncological care in the context of a pandemic: safety measures and changes in treatmentKostinAndrey A.andocrey@mail.ruSamsonovYuri V.samsonovu@list.ruPeoples' Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba, Moscow, RussiaNational Medical Research Radiological Centre, Moscow, Russia15122024212512915102025Copyright © 2024,2024The outbreak of the rapidly spreading COVID-19 infection in December 2019 became a catalyst for significant transformations within the global healthcare system. This necessitated the reorganisation of specialised services to utilise available resources more effectively and to safeguard the safety of patients and medical staff. The diagnosis and treatment of cancer are processes that cannot be delayed, as doing so may result in irreversible detrimental outcomes. In light of this, oncology organisations, amidst complete uncertainty, advocated for the persistent treatment of cancer throughout this crisis with utmost diligence. The COVID-19 pandemic compelled oncologists to overhaul aspects of medical care at every stage, impacting all involved in the process. The aim of this article is to analyse and assess the methods of organising oncological care under pandemic conditions, including an examination of the safety measures and treatment method adaptations already implemented amidst total uncertainty. As the pandemic rapidly evolves, it will require constant updating and reforming of strategies and guidelines to ensure safe and high-quality medical care.oncologycancerpandemicinfection controlchemotherapytelemedicinepatient safetyонкологияракпандемияконтроль за инфекциямихимиотерапиятелемедицинабезопасность пациентовBallatore Z., Bastianelli L., Merloni F. et al. Scientia potentia est: how the Italian world of oncology changes in the COVID-19 pandemic. JCO Glob. Oncol. 2020;6:1017–1023. DOI: 10.1200/GO.20.00209Joode K., Dumoulin D., Engelen V. et al. Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on cancer treatment: the patients’ perspective. Eur. J. Cancer. 2020;136:132–139. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.06.019Liang W., Guan W., Chen R. et al. Cancer patients in SARS-CoV-2 infection: a nationwide analysis in China. Lancet Oncol. 2020;21(3):335–337. DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30096-6Zhang L., Zhu F., Xie L. et al. Clinical characteristics of COVID-19-infected cancer patients: a retrospective case study in three hospitals within Wuhan, China. Ann. Oncol. 2020;31(7):894–901. DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2020.03.296Dai M., Liu D., Liu M. et al. Patients with cancer appear more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2: a multicenter study during the COVID-19 outbreak. Cancer Discov. 2020;10(6):783–791. DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-20-0422Whisenant J. G., Trama A., Torri V. et al. TERAVOLT: Thoracic Cancers International COVID-19 Collaboration. Cancer Cell. 2020;37(6):742–745. DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2020.05.008Rolston K. V. Infections in cancer patients with solid tumors: a review. Infect. Dis. Ther. 2017;6(1):69–83. DOI: 10.1007/s40121-017-0146-1Guckenberger M., Belka C., Bezjak A. et al. Practice recommendations for lung cancer radiotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic: an ESTRO-ASTRO consensus statement. Radiother Oncol. 2020;146:223–229. DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2020.04.001Peng L., Zagorac S., Stebbing J. Managing patients with cancer in the COVID-19 era. Eur. J. Cancer. 2020;132:5–7. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.03.028Dingemans A. C., Soo R. A., Jazieh A. R. et al. Treatment guidance for patients with lung cancer during the Coronavirus 2019 pandemic. J. Thorac. Oncol. 2020;15(7):1119–1136. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2020.05.001Raymond E., Thieblemont C., Alran S., Faivre S. Impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the management of patients with cancer. Target. Oncol. 2020;15:249–259. DOI: 10.1007/s11523-020-00721-1Giesen N., Sprute R., Rüthrich M. et al. 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). Eur. J. Cancer. 2020;140:86–104. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.09.009Indini A., Pinotti G., Artioli F. et al. Management of patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: the Italian perspective on the second wave. Eur. J. Cancer. 2021;148:112–116. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.01.040Scotté F., Minvielle E., Mir O. et al. A patient reported outcome platform, a useful tool to improve monitoring and effective management of COVID-19-positive patients with cancer. Eur. J. Cancer. 2020;132:1–4. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.03.020Takahari D., Shinozaki E., Wakatsuki T. et al. Managing a gastrointestinal oncology practice in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic: single institutional experience in The Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research. Int. J. Clin. Oncol. 2020;26:335–344. DOI: 10.1007/s10147-020-01806-7Romeo A., Castelli L., Franco P. The effect of COVID-19 on radiation oncology professionals and patients with cancer: from trauma to psychological growth. Adv. Radiat. Oncol. 2020;5:705–706. DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2020.04.024Onesti C., Rugo H., Generali D. et al. Oncological care organisation during COVID-19 outbreak. ESMO Open. 2020;5(4):e000853. DOI: 10.1136/esmoopen-2020-000853