Management of Prostate Cancer During COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspective From Urologists and Radiation Oncologists in...

Objective To survey Urologists and Radiation Oncologists in Metropolitan Detroit regarding practice patterns in managing non-metastatic prostate cancer during the pandemic.  Methods An online survey was created to capture the perspective of the impact the COVID-19 restrictions have on the management of prostate cancer by Urologists and Radiation Oncologists in the Detroit Metropolitan area.  Results While most physicians felt that their facilities had adequate quantities of personal protective equipment (PPE), one in four offices reported that they did not have sufficient access to PPE. Urologists surveyed indicated that most of the low risk prostate cancer surgeries were cancelled and 56.2% had half or more of intermediate and high risk disease prostatectomies cancelled as well. Treatment options were then shifted towards either temporary surveillance or hormone therapy. Radiation Oncologists indicated that prostate cancer patients ready to start treatment were mostly delayed with temporary surveillance or hormone therapy depending on risk category (60% indicated they delayed low risk and favorable intermediate risk cases, 56% unfavorable intermediate risk cases, and 44% high risk cases). More than 80% of patients already undergoing treatment continued radiation.  Conclusion In the setting of this pandemic, the management of prostate cancer has shifted to a much more conservative approach. While the response to the crisis has not been uniform, the majority of the practitioners followed newly established guidelines. The long-term outcomes of delays and deviations from standard treatment approaches will remain to be seen.