Lung Cancer Management in COVID-19 Pandemic

In studies published in China, lung cancer patients were identified as the greatest risk group during the COVID-19 pandemic due to their diseases and immunosuppressive treatments. Poor prognosis is anticipated if COVID-19 pneumonia is detected in lung cancer patients. Oncology associations and specialists from countries such as China and Italy have published suggestions that allow patients to experience the pandemic with minimal harm. It is recommended that patients stay in their homes and not visit the hospital. This may mean postponing treatments, switching to oral form of treatments that must continue, and extending the intervals between IV treatments or reducing the number of cycles. When surgery is required, neoadjuvant chemotherapies are preferred. It is difficult to differentiate the symptoms or radiological images of the lung cancer patient with COVID 19 pneumonia vs cancer progression or treatment-related complications. Therefore, careful examination is key. In this article, we have compiled recommendations for the management of lung cancer during the COVID 19 pandemic.