Treatment strategies for gastric cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has become a major global public health problem. Governments are taking the necessary steps to reduce the movement of people to contain the spread of the virus. However, these measures have caused considerable distress to patients with gastric cancer who are newly diagnosed or are undergoing treatment. In addition to the cancer, they must deal with longer waiting times for surgery and poor communication with doctors. Furthermore, gastric cancer patients generally have low immunity and a poor nutritional status, so they are a high-risk group for infection with the novel coronavirus. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate reasonable outpatient management strategies to reduce the adverse effects of the pandemic on their treatment. We summarize the management strategies for patients with gastric cancer during the pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; Gastric cancer; Treatment; Strategies; Management; Outside the hospital

Core Tip: The coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak has affected the treatment of many patients with gastric cancer. We need to adjust traditional treatment strategies to minimize the impact on patients. The progression of early gastric cancer is relatively slow, so the waiting time for surgery can be appropriately extended. We also need to develop strategies for management outside the hospital. It is particularly important to make full use of the network platform to establish good doctor-patient communication. In addition to the treatment of tumors, doctors should pay attention to the nutritional status and mental health of patients.