THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON MANAGEMENT OF GASTROINTESTINAL MALIGNANCIES;A NARRATIVE REVIEW

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread disruptions in the delivery of all essential and non-essential health care globally, with individuals afflicted with cancer representing a particularly vulnerable sub set of those affected. This article reviews the published literature and guidelines on the management of gastrointestinal malignancies during the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide and summarizes the challenges posed, innovations made and outcomes of the various screening, diagnostic and therapeutic modalities employed during the period from March to December 2020.