Preventive Strategies for Cancer Patients during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Review

Immunosuppressed children with cancer remain a vulnerable group for acquiring severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Up to now, there is no specific antiviral agent or vaccine for this novel virus. Increased surveillance and preventive strategies are necessary in order to reduce the number of cancer patients who have been infected with Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Education of patients, parents and health workers about these preventive strategies is of critical importance in reducing the risk of exposure to this virus. Consideration of risks and benefits regarding active intervention in the cancer patients during COVID-19 outbreak must be individualized case by case. Minimizing outpatients’ visits and also reduction of elective admissions or surgeries can help in mitigating exposure and potential transmission. Additionally, the oncology community should balance a delay in cancer treatment against the risk of potential COVID-19 exposure. Limiting the exposure of cancer patients to clinics and departments and also modifying the therapeutic options in order to reduce the probability of myelosuppression, if feasible, could be the main goal. This review article summarizes the preventive strategies regarding cancer patients during this extraordinary time.