Multisystem Imaging Recommendations/Guidelines: In the Pursuit of Precision Oncology

With an increasing rate of cancers in almost all age groups and advanced screening techniques leading to an early diagnosis and longer longevity of patients with cancers, it is of utmost importance that radiologists assigned with cancer imaging should be prepared to deal with specific expected and unexpected circumstances that may arise during the lifetime of these patients. Tailored integration of preventive and curative interventions with current health plans and global escalation of efforts for timely diagnosis of cancers will pave the path for a cancer-free world. The commonly encountered circumstances in the current era, complicating cancer imaging, include coronavirus disease 2019 infection, pregnancy and lactation, immunocompromised states, bone marrow transplant, and screening of cancers in the relevant population. In this article, we discuss the imaging recommendations pertaining to cancer screening and diagnosis in the aforementioned clinical circumstances.Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.

CANCER PATIENT MANAGEMENT DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: AN AUDIT OF A SINGLE-SURGEON UNIT IN A COVID-HOTSPOT

Introduction Pandemic has affected health care globally affecting the routine practices in hospitals. Treatment delivery for cancer patients posed specific challenges in lieu of reducing risk of exposure. The current report evaluates the effect of COVID-19 on breast cancer treatment and management at a single-surgeon cancer care unit in one of the hotspots in India. Prashanti Cancer Care Mission (PCCM), is a public charitable trust that supports an Oncosurgeon's practice with a mission to support cancer patients by providing subsidized treatment, counselling, and fostering support group activities. PCCM's Orchid's Breast Health clinic is a multidisciplinary health care unit working closely in association with PCCM's research arm Centre for translational cancer research (CTCR). Methods In response to the pandemic, adjustments were made in the clinical practice to accommodate social distancing. Patient consultations were done over phone call or in-clinic visit with prior appointment to reduce the risk of exposure. Total number of patients treated at the clinic, total footfall, chemotherapies administered, and essential surgeries performed were assessed Results The report summarizes the effect of pandemic on cancer care and management at a single unit of cancer clinic through various phases of lock-down that were implemented in India to curb the spread of COVID-19. Conclusions The methodology adopted here for care and management of the cancer patients can serve as a guiding principle for cancer care units in the country.