International Journal of Hematology and Oncology 2023, Vol 33, Num 4 Page(s): 133-138
Intravenous Chemotherapy Adherence of Cancer Patients in Time of Covid-19 Crisis

Ismail BEYPINAR1, Muslih URUN1

Intravenous Chemotherapy Adherence of Cancer Patients in Time of Covid-19 Crisis

Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-COV-2, Cancer, Chemotherapy, Adherence
SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded RNA spherical virus spikes formed by glycoproteins. The leading cause of death was linked to acute respiratory distress syndrome, myocardial injury, or renal failure. After the first case reported on the 11th of March in Turkey Ministry of Health and Interior declared some regulations on the public, such as travel restrictions, traffic restrictions, social distancing homes, and centralized quarantine. Although chemotherapy adherence is a highly studied area for both oral and intravenous agents in cancer patients, no available data exist in a pandemic world with many social restrictions. The records of patients who have active cancer treatment in the department of medical oncology retrospectively analyzed. The age, gender, diagnosis, chemotherapy type, rendezvous, and coming dates recorded. Four chemotherapy delays (3.7%) were observed out of 52 patients before the 11th of March 2020, while 43 chemotherapy delays (39,8%9) occurred out of 107 patients after the first COVID-19 case and the restrictions in Turkey. Twenty patients had treatment delay without reason and did not show up for treatment on the day of chemotherapy. The treatment delays without reasons are significantly different in the pre and post COVID-19 pandemic era. The hematologic toxicity rates were similar when compared pre and post COVID-19 period. The non-specific regulations and declarations confuse the patients and prevent them from reaching the treatment which is needed. In the case of pandemic regulations, oncologic patients may have special considerations for government decisions.