Pancreatic cancer in the era of COVID-19 pandemic: Which one is the lesser of two evils?
Open Access
- 24 February 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. in World Journal of Clinical Oncology
- Vol. 12 (2), 54-60
- https://doi.org/10.5306/wjco.v12.i2.54
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains one of the deadliest malignancies affecting the older population. We are experiencing a paradigm shift in the treatment of pancreatic cancer in the era of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Utilizing neoadjuvant treatment and further conducting a safe surgery while protecting patients in a controlled environment can improve oncological outcomes. On the other hand, an optimal oncologic procedure performed in a hazardous setting could shorten patient survival if recovery is complicated by COVID-19 infection. We believe that oncological treatment protocols must adapt to this new health threat, and pancreatic cancer is not unique in this regard. Although survival may not be as optimistic as most other malignancies, as caregivers and researchers, we are committed to innovating and reshaping the treatment algorithms to minimize morbidity and maximize survival as caregivers and researchers.This publication has 18 references indexed in Scilit:
- Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing surgeries during the incubation period of COVID-19 infectionEClinicalMedicine, 2020
- Cancer patients in SARS-CoV-2 infection: a nationwide analysis in ChinaThe Lancet Oncology, 2020
- Completion of Adjuvant Chemotherapy After Upfront Surgical Resection for Pancreatic Cancer Is Uncommon Yet Associated With Improved SurvivalAnnals of Surgical Oncology, 2019
- Neoadjuvant therapy in pancreatic cancer: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of prospective studiesCancer Medicine, 2017
- Projecting Cancer Incidence and Deaths to 2030: The Unexpected Burden of Thyroid, Liver, and Pancreas Cancers in the United StatesCancer Research, 2014
- Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Radiology Reporting Template: Consensus Statement of the Society of Abdominal Radiology and the American Pancreatic AssociationRadiology, 2014
- Adjuvant Chemotherapy With Gemcitabine and Long-term Outcomes Among Patients With Resected Pancreatic CancerJAMA, 2013
- Effect of Adjuvant Chemotherapy With Fluorouracil Plus Folinic Acid or Gemcitabine vs Observation on Survival in Patients With Resected Periampullary AdenocarcinomaJAMA, 2012
- FOLFIRINOX versus Gemcitabine for Metastatic Pancreatic CancerThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2011
- Adjuvant Therapy in Pancreatic CancerDrugs, 2007