Surgery for Cancer in the Wake of Second and Future Waves! Challenges and Opportunities in the Indian Context.

ABSTRACT

The pandemic situation created by newly discovered severe acute respiratory disease corona virus 2019 has thrown up many challenges to surgical fraternity across world. All surgeons particularly cancer surgeons are facing dilemmas not only in managing patients but also in appropriate personal as well as employee's health protection as well. Since the pandemic is not expected to recede unless it affects a considerable proportion of population or up to 60% of population is vaccinated, we need to be aware of prevailing best practices. This is important in ensuring continuity of care for cancer patients as well as to limit the consequences of one getting infected with the COVID-19. This review article focuses on the current challenges and the ways to mitigate them.