ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Our knowledge about severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is still evolving; its effects on children with cancer need to be studied more. The aim of this study is to present our experience with SARS-CoV-2 infection in this population and to highlight specific complications and outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective and prospective observational study, which involved 21 cancer patients below the age of 18 years in north Jordan. Data regarding their age, sex, cancer type and progression, phase of treatment, and others were collected and reviewed. Patients were classified into confirmed, probable, and suspect according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) 2021 classification. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients with malignancy were included. Ten patients were males (48%). Mean age of 8.8 years (3 mo to 18 y). Two patients (9.5%) had died; one (4.7%) death was coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related and the other one (4.7%) was due to cancer progression. Two patients (9.5%) had multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Both disease progression and new malignancies were documented in 11 (52%) of our patients. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of COVID-19 should not distract physicians from investigating new malignancy or relapse as they may come together or may be related to COVID-19 infection. More studies are needed to identify the contribution of SARS-CoV-2 in the pathogenesis of cancer.
ABSTRACT
During the COVID-19 pandemic, major challenges are facing pediatric cancer centers regarding access to cancer centers, continuity of the anti-cancer therapy, hospital admission, and infection protection precautions. Pediatric oncologists actively treating children with cancer from 29 cancer centers at 11 countries were asked to answer a survey from May 2020 to August 2020 either directly or through the internet. COVID-19 pandemic affected the access to pediatric cancer care in the form of difficulty in reaching the center in 22 (75.9%) centers and affection of patients' flow in 21 (72.4%) centers. Health care professionals (HCP) were infected with COVID-19 in 20 (69%) surveyed centers. Eighteen centers (62%) modified the treatment guidelines. Care of follow-up patients was provided in-hospital in 8(27.6%) centers, through telemedicine in 10 (34.5%) centers, and just delayed in 11 (38%) centers. Pediatric oncologists had different expectations about the future effects of COVID-19 on pediatric cancer care. Seventy-six percent of pediatric oncologists think the COVID-19 pandemic will increase the use of telemedicine. Fifty-five percent of pediatric oncologists think if the COVID-19 pandemic persists, we will need to change chemotherapy protocols to less myelosuppressive ones. Collaborative studies are required to prioritize pediatric cancer management during COVID-19 era.