RESUMO
Introduction: Tackling of; the patients who had defaultedfor radiation therapy due to implementation of lockdownfollowing COVID-19 outbreak, new patients presenting toout-patient department(OPD) and continuing Radiotherapytreatment without postponing during this health crisis ischallenging. Study objective was to evaluate the outcomesof hypofractionated radiation therapy in the COVID-19 eraand to provide guidance on measures for preparedness in theDepartment of Radiation Oncology to continue the treatmentand tackling treatment breaks.Material and Methods: Patients reporting to the OPD,patients who defaulted for treatment during lockdown phaseand newly diagnosed patients awaiting treatment wereincluded in the study. Hypofractionated schedules were usedfor treatment to reduce the overall treatment time and durationof hospital stayResults: Clinical response evaluation was done at the end of 1month by RECIST criteria. In Head and neck cancer patients60%, 26% and 13.3% of the patients showed CompleteResponse (CR), Partial response (PR) and Progressive diseaserespectively in primary disease and 46%, 40%, 13.3% of thepatients showed CR, PR and progressive disease respectivelyin nodal disease. Among Cervical cancer patients: 75% and25% of the patients showed CR and PR respectively. All Breastcancer patient were disease free at the time of assessment.Conclusion: Hypofractionated radiotherapy schedules to beused wherever feasible reducing the overall treatment timeand the exposure of Cancer patients to COVID-19 and viraltransmission can be mitigated with best clinical practice ofsanitization, wearing masks, Face shield, PPE and Socialdistancing.