DOES IT NEED TO TAKE A BREAK FROM RADIOTHERAPY DURING THE OUTBREAK?
Medicana International Samsun Hospital Radiation Oncology Specialist Dr. Baki Tarakçı: “Without interrupting the treatment we planned, taking into account the tumor repopulation; It aims to complete the treatment within the time we specify. Therefore, it is important for patients who continue radiotherapy with this treatment philosophy to come to radiotherapy regularly,” said Radiation Oncology Specialist Dr. Baki Tarakçı stated that while there is no scientific evidence to stop radiotherapy or interrupt the treatment due to the Covid pandemic, multidisciplinary approaches are required for oncological patients and said, "Treatment does not only include radiotherapy, it is necessary to consider radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery and supportive treatment as a whole." To start treatment for patients diagnosed during the Covid-19 period, the stage of the tumor, its localization, pathology and the patient's performance should be taken into consideration. Treatment should be arranged in a multidisciplinary manner by sharing the risks with the patient. For example; "It is important to start treatment quickly in cases of rapid tumor proliferation, such as head and neck cancer or lung cancer," he said.
SHOULD PATIENTS RECEIVING RT GET COVID 19 VACCINE?
Dr.Tarakçı, Cancer disease itself and its treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy) accompanying conditions (underlying lung disease, COPD), nutritional deficiency, etc. It both increases the possibility of infection in cancer patients and leads to an increase in the risk of death due to infection. Oncological patients; It is defined as a priority class during vaccination. Covid-19 vaccines currently administered in society and produced with different technologies are not live virus vaccines and have low side effect profiles. We recommend that oncological patients in all stages, whose general condition is good, receive the Covid-19 vaccines recommended by the Ministry of Health. Since studies on the vaccine did not include cancer patients, there is no clear information about the effectiveness of the vaccines, but they are recommended for oncological patients because they reduce the risk of infection and have a low side effect profile. However, chemo concurrent with radiotherapy "Patients who are receiving therapy or intense chemotherapeutic agents or who have very serious side effects during radiotherapy should definitely contact their doctor about vaccination," he said.
Read: 0
