Oncology healthcare providers must consider a trio of specific management strategies for their patients during this time, as COVID-19 can be particularly lethal in patients with cancer.

According to JAMA Oncology, researchers located in Wuhan, China – the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak – there were more coronavirus cases among patients with cancer versus the general public.

Despite a small sample size, a recent trial demonstrated hydroxychloroquine treatment’s effect reinforced by azithromycin is significantly associated with viral load reduction/disappearance in COVID-19 patients.

Listen to this podcast from Rafael Fonseca, MD, interim executive director, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, who discusses specific measures the Mayo Clinic has taken for developing in-house testing.

The NCCN delivers guidance for cancer centers. Two guiding measures are key. First, ensure proactive, open channels of communication. Next, form an Incident Command Structure to respond rapidly to ever-changing info. Click to view other guidance.

Patients with advanced cancer are at a much higher risk for bad outcomes with a coronavirus diagnosis. For oncologists, this means there can be absolutely no room for complacency. What can you do to be prepared?