TY - JOUR
T1 - Safe distance, safe patients! Therapeutic management of oncological patients affected by cutaneous and mucosal adverse events during the COVID-19 pandemic
T2 - an Italian experience
AU - Cinelli, Eleonora
AU - Fabbrocini, Gabriella
AU - Fattore, Davide
AU - Marasca, Claudio
AU - Damiani, Giovanni
AU - Annunziata, Maria Carmela
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
Copyright:
Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2020/9/1
Y1 - 2020/9/1
N2 - Stringent measures have been taken to contain COVID-19 spread, limiting access only for urgent visits, surgery procedures, or hospitalizations and using teledermatology services for non-urgent cases. Management of oncological patients affected by chemo-, immune-, and radiotherapy-related cutaneous and mucosal adverse events is a challenge. Firstly because of the differential diagnosis of cutaneous rash (e.g., drug-related rash or paraviral exanthema). Secondly, oncological patients can suffer from xerosis, pruritus, and mucositis that contribute to cutaneous and mucosal barrier lesions, thus becoming vulnerable site for viral or bacterial colonization. These lesions can also be aggravated by the use of protective mask and gloves. Here, we report also our results of a teledermatological survey on 87 oncological patients, where the health status of oncological patients referred to our dedicated clinic was assessed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is fundamental that oncological patients are followed up by their dermatologists even if the clinics are closed. Teledermatology represents a crucial means of communication. Patients can contact the dermatological staff by emails and telephone, 24 h a day, 7 days a week, for video calls and dermatological consultations.
AB - Stringent measures have been taken to contain COVID-19 spread, limiting access only for urgent visits, surgery procedures, or hospitalizations and using teledermatology services for non-urgent cases. Management of oncological patients affected by chemo-, immune-, and radiotherapy-related cutaneous and mucosal adverse events is a challenge. Firstly because of the differential diagnosis of cutaneous rash (e.g., drug-related rash or paraviral exanthema). Secondly, oncological patients can suffer from xerosis, pruritus, and mucositis that contribute to cutaneous and mucosal barrier lesions, thus becoming vulnerable site for viral or bacterial colonization. These lesions can also be aggravated by the use of protective mask and gloves. Here, we report also our results of a teledermatological survey on 87 oncological patients, where the health status of oncological patients referred to our dedicated clinic was assessed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is fundamental that oncological patients are followed up by their dermatologists even if the clinics are closed. Teledermatology represents a crucial means of communication. Patients can contact the dermatological staff by emails and telephone, 24 h a day, 7 days a week, for video calls and dermatological consultations.
KW - Adverse events
KW - COVID-19
KW - Skin
KW - Teledermatology
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U2 - 10.1007/s00520-020-05563-1
DO - 10.1007/s00520-020-05563-1
M3 - Comment/debate
C2 - 32514616
AN - SCOPUS:85086162768
VL - 28
SP - 3991
EP - 3993
JO - Supportive Care in Cancer
JF - Supportive Care in Cancer
SN - 0941-4355
IS - 9
ER -