A snapshot on radiotherapy for head and neck cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey of the Italian Assoc
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A snapshot on radiotherapy for head and neck cancer patients during the COVID‑19 pandemic: a survey of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO) head and neck working group Francesca De Felice1 · Elisa D’Angelo2 · Rossana Ingargiola3 · Nicola Alessandro Iacovelli3 · Daniela Alterio4 · Pierfrancesco Franco5 · Pierluigi Bonomo6 · Anna Merlotti7 · Almalina Bacigalupo8 · Marta Maddalo9 · Alessia Di Rito10 · Giuseppe Fanetti11 · Ida D’Onofrio12 · Francesco Dionisi13 · Francesco Miccichè14 · Marianna Trignani15 · Daniela Musio1 · Fabiola Paiar16 · Domenico Attilio Romanello17,18 · Vittorio Donato19 · Ester Orlandi18 Received: 15 July 2020 / Accepted: 21 September 2020 © Italian Society of Medical Radiology 2020
Abstract Objectives The objective of the paper was to assess real-life experience in the management of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in radiotherapy departments and to evaluate the variability in terms of adherence to American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) recommendations. Materials and methods In May 2020, an anonymous 30-question online survey, comparing acute phase of outbreak and preCOVID-19 period, was conducted. Two sections exploited changes in general management of HNC patients and different HNC primary tumors, addressing specific statements from ASTRO ESTRO consensus statement as well. Results Eighty-eight questionnaires were included in the demographic/clinical workflow analysis, and 64 were analyzed for treatment management. Forty-eight percent of radiotherapy departments became part of oncologic hubs. First consultations reduced, and patients were addressed to other centers in 33.8 and 18.3% of cases, respectively. Telematic consultations were used in 50% of follow-up visits and 73.9% of multidisciplinary tumor board discussions. There were no practical changes in the management of patients affected by different primitive HNCs. Hypofractionation was not favored over conventional schedules. Conclusions Compared to pre-COVID era, the clinical workflow was highly re-organized, whereas there were no consistent changes in RT indications and schedules. Keywords COVID-19 · Head and neck cancer · Radiotherapy · Survey
Introduction Francesca De Felice and Elisa D’Angelo equally contributed to the current work. Vittorio Donato: President of AIRO (Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology), Italy. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-020-01296-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. * Ester Orlandi [email protected] Extended author information available on the last page of the article
One of the basic principles of the Italian association of radiotherapy and clinical oncology (AIRO) head and neck working group is to actively support and disseminate evidencebased and utmost quality clinical practice [1]. The current coronavirus disease 2019 (C
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