In the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it is important to ensure the quality of cancer treatment as well as patients and health professionals' safety. Individual-based treatment options should be considered in patients with advanced epithelial skin cancer, who are typically elderly and frail. Aim of this study was to assess feasibility and safety of Contact Skin Radiation Therapy (CSRT) to treat basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Patients with advanced and difficult-to-treat BCC or SCC were discussed at skin multidisciplinary tumor board (S-MDTB) from February the 21st to May the 4th (phase 1 Italian Pandemic) and retrospectively analyzed. Patient's triage following internal recommendations was daily performed. CSRT was delivered in 8 fractions of 5 Gy each, twice a day. Beyond the clinical outcomes, treatment success indicators, such as the completion of CSRT without SARS-CoV-2 occurrence, were identified to evaluate the feasibility of CSRT during pandemic. A post-treatment psychological assessment regarding patient's safety perception was performed. Six male patients (median age 80 years; range 62–92) with histologically confirmed BCC or SCC were treated with CSRT. Complete clinical remission was achieved in 5/6 patients (83.4%). No high-grade acute toxicities occurred during treatment. No patients or healthcare personnel developed SARS-CoV-2 infection. All the treatment success indicators were achieved. CSRT represents a safe, and feasible treatment option even during the pandemic emergency period. Hypofractionation could be an option to reduce total number of fractions and, consequently, infective risk exposition.

Lancellotta, V., D'Aviero, A., Fionda, B., Di Stefani, A., Casa, C., Del Regno, L., Gentileschi, S., Colloca, G. F., Rossi, E., Schinzari, G., Gambacorta, M. A., Tagliaferri, L., Peris, K., Contact skin radiotherapy (brachytherapy) for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers during COVID-19 pandemic, <<DERMATOLOGIC THERAPY>>, 2021; 35 (3): e15276-N/A. [doi:10.1111/dth.15276] [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/197829]

Contact skin radiotherapy (brachytherapy) for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers during COVID-19 pandemic

Di Stefani, Alessandro;Casa, Cristina;Gentileschi, Stefano;Colloca, Giuseppe Ferdinando;Schinzari, Giovanni;Gambacorta, Maria Antonietta;Tagliaferri, Luca;Peris, Ketty
2022

Abstract

In the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it is important to ensure the quality of cancer treatment as well as patients and health professionals' safety. Individual-based treatment options should be considered in patients with advanced epithelial skin cancer, who are typically elderly and frail. Aim of this study was to assess feasibility and safety of Contact Skin Radiation Therapy (CSRT) to treat basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Patients with advanced and difficult-to-treat BCC or SCC were discussed at skin multidisciplinary tumor board (S-MDTB) from February the 21st to May the 4th (phase 1 Italian Pandemic) and retrospectively analyzed. Patient's triage following internal recommendations was daily performed. CSRT was delivered in 8 fractions of 5 Gy each, twice a day. Beyond the clinical outcomes, treatment success indicators, such as the completion of CSRT without SARS-CoV-2 occurrence, were identified to evaluate the feasibility of CSRT during pandemic. A post-treatment psychological assessment regarding patient's safety perception was performed. Six male patients (median age 80 years; range 62–92) with histologically confirmed BCC or SCC were treated with CSRT. Complete clinical remission was achieved in 5/6 patients (83.4%). No high-grade acute toxicities occurred during treatment. No patients or healthcare personnel developed SARS-CoV-2 infection. All the treatment success indicators were achieved. CSRT represents a safe, and feasible treatment option even during the pandemic emergency period. Hypofractionation could be an option to reduce total number of fractions and, consequently, infective risk exposition.
2022
Inglese
Lancellotta, V., D'Aviero, A., Fionda, B., Di Stefani, A., Casa, C., Del Regno, L., Gentileschi, S., Colloca, G. F., Rossi, E., Schinzari, G., Gambacorta, M. A., Tagliaferri, L., Peris, K., Contact skin radiotherapy (brachytherapy) for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers during COVID-19 pandemic, <<DERMATOLOGIC THERAPY>>, 2021; 35 (3): e15276-N/A. [doi:10.1111/dth.15276] [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/197829]
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10807/197829
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 1
  • Scopus 3
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 3
social impact