Impact of COVID-19 pandemic in our Radiation oncology department
Patricia Valencia Nieto,
Spain
PO-1604
Abstract
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic in our Radiation oncology department
Authors: Patricia Valencia Nieto1, María Herrera Román1, María Sánchez Belda1, Ana María Cabezas Mendoza1, David Miguel Pérez1, Jesús María De Frutos Baraja1, Ana Casado Camacho1, Rocío Jaraiz Diaz1, Pilar Alonso Martínez1, Patricia Diezhandino García1
1HCUV, Radiation Oncology, Valladolid, Spain
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Purpose or Objective
Radiotherapy is an effective palliative treatment for metastatic disease. The current COVID-19 pandemic has led us to consider shorter courses, new guidelines and prioritize cases clinically urgent. The purpose of this study is to analyze our practice in palliative treatment, new potential strategies and hypofractionation.
Material and Methods
252 patients who receive palliative Radiotherapy from March 2020 to March 2021 were reviewed. We analyze how the treatment line has been modified throughout the 1 year of the pandemic and other items related to the different therapeutic options as mortality, reirradiation, primary localization and intention.
Results
Median age was 68 years (range 33-95y), 66% males, 34% females. Main primary tumors were 30% lung, 12% prostate and 10% breast. 65% patients had painful bone metastases, 15% brain metastases, 14% cord compression, 4% bleeding and 2% superior vena cava obstruction. Advanced disease was detected in 12% as debut. Half of patients were treated in the two first months of the pandemic than later.
Treatment provided was:
8 patients required reirradiation. Currently, 66% died.
Conclusion
Radiotherapy plays a critical role improving quality of life in patients with advanced disease, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the first months of confinement, short radiation therapy cycles prevailed over the long ones, as the normal schemes of fractionation coinciding with a greater number of sessions gained importance as time went on.