Thomas K. Varghese, Jr, MD, on the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Care
NCCN 2021 Virtual Annual Conference
Thomas K. Varghese, Jr, MD, of Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, summarizes a panel discussion on how the COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted cancer screenings, when telemedicine works and when it doesn’t, opening alternative care sites in the community, and the emotional and mental toll the coronavirus has taken on health-care providers.
The ASCO Post Staff
Susan M. Swetter, MD, of Stanford Cancer Institute, discusses molecular prognostic tests for cutaneous melanoma, which may improve staging accuracy, reduce unnecessary sentinel lymph node biopsies, and inform decisions on surveillance imaging and/or adjuvant therapy.
The ASCO Post Staff
David G. Pfister, MD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the many considerations when caring for patients with head and neck cancers, such as dental and nutritional issues; side effects from radiation, including necrosis of the bone; oral health; problems with speech; and the concerns of younger patients who may have to cope with the sequelae of treatment such as altered function or disfigurement for years to come.
The ASCO Post Staff
Sandy Srinivas, MD, of Stanford Cancer Institute, discusses the increasing number of ways to deliver life-prolonging therapy to patients with advanced prostate cancer, including more accurate imaging techniques; PET tracers to help better detect, diagnose, and treat disease; PARP inhibitors for BRCA and other mutations; and new sequencing of drugs.
The ASCO Post Staff
Lori J. Wirth, MD, of Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, discusses the common molecular alterations across thyroid cancer subtypes; targeted treatments for BRAF V600E–mutant, NTRK–fusion positive, and RET–altered disease; and optimal therapies for patients with multiple types of thyroid cancer.
The ASCO Post Staff
Arlene O. Siefker-Radtke, MD, of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the changing therapeutic landscape in which atezolizumab, avelumab, and pembrolizumab have either been approved or are under review for treating urothelial bladder cancer in the metastatic, superficial, and adjuvant settings.
