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COVID-19 Facts and Resources

COVID-19 Information for Physicians

  • Christopher Lathan, MD

  • The COVID-19 pandemic is of particular concern for cancer patients, whose immune systems may be compromised due to their disease or treatment. During this challenging time, we are committed to sharing resources and insight that may be helpful in caring for cancer patients.

    Please bookmark this page, and check back often, as resources and guidance may evolve or be added.


    General Care


  • Webinar: The State of Clinical Trials During the COVID-19 Era

    On June 4, 2020, Bruce Johnson, MD, Dana-Farber's Chief Clinical Research Officer, and his colleagues in clinical research led a discussion and Q&A on:

    • Dana-Farber operation of clinical trials in the COVID-19 era
    • The impact of COVID-19 on clinical research and trials thus far
    • The status of Scientific Review Boards, Institutional Review Boards
    • Funding and industry partnerships
    • Adaptations for patients who are undergoing treatment

    Faculty:

    Bruce Johnson, MD, Chief Clinical Research Officer

    Jeffrey Meyerhardt, MD, MPH, FASCO, Deputy Clinical Research Officer

    Mary-Ellen Taplin, MD, Chair Executive Committee for Clinical Research

    Kristen Legor, JD, RN, OCN, Associate Chief Nurse/Senior Director, Clinical Research


  • Blood Cancers

    COVID-19 Practical Considerations: How Can We Help Patients with Myeloid Malignancies?

    In this VuMedi video, David Steensma, MD shares insight on treating patients with myeloid malignancies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    (Registration required on VuMedi site)


    Breast Cancer



  • Webinar: A National Perspective on the Multidisciplinary Management of Breast Cancer Through the COVID-19 Pandemic
    Speakers: Eric P. Winer, MD; Lisa A. Carey, MD; George W. Sledge Jr, MD; and Monica Morrow, MD, FACS

    Led by Eric P. Winer, MD, this panel of national experts joined OncLive® for a discussion focusing on the impact of COVID-19 in patients with breast cancer across the country, and how innovative approaches to treatment have evolved during this time.

    Topics included:

    • Regional differences in the management of patients with breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic
    • Institutional best practices for treating patients with breast cancer that have the novel coronavirus or who may be at risk for developing it
    • Guidelines on the prioritization and management of patients with breast cancer



  • Webinar: Updates and Considerations for the Multidisciplinary Management of Breast Cancer Through the COVID-19 Pandemic

    Speakers: Eric P. Winer, MD; Ian Krop, MD, PhD; Ann Partridge, MD, MPH; Tari A. King, MD; Jennifer R. Bellon, MD

    Led by Eric P. Winer, MD, Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center breast oncology specialists joined OncLive® for a discussion focusing on the impact of COVID-19 in patients with breast cancer and the innovative ways in which treatment has evolved during this time.

    Topics included:

    • Risk of patients with breast cancer for developing COVID-19
    • Best practices in the management of patients with breast cancer that have the novel coronavirus or who may be at risk for developing it
    • Expanding use of telemedicine in breast cancer care
    • Impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on testing in patients with breast cancer


  • Weathering the Storm: Managing Older Adults with Breast Cancer Amid COVID-19 and Beyond

    Caring for older patients with breast cancer presents unique clinical considerations, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Breast Oncology team at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center proposes multidisciplinary care considerations for older women with breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.


    Genitourinary Cancers

    GU Cancer Treatment Considerations Amid COVID-19 Crisis

    Director of Dana-Farber’s Bladder Cancer Program Guru Sonpavde, MD, recently spoke on the OncLive On Air podcast about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted treatment decisions for patients with bladder cancer; specifically, as they relate to the dosing and scheduling of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.

    Dr. Sonpavde discusses chemotherapy concerns for patients with muscle invasive and metastatic bladder cancer, perioperative surgical concerns for those at risk of COVID-19, and the preventative measures Dana-Farber is taking to reduce the risk of patients and providers contracting the virus.


    Genitourinary Cancer Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Proposed Clinical Guidelines

    The Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center has developed new clinical guidelines for the care of patients with bladder, kidney, prostate, and testicular cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note that these guidelines are current as of May 1, 2020 but may change over time depending on the course of the pandemic.


    Stem Cell Transplant

  • Webinar: Caring for Stem Cell Transplant Patients During COVID-19

    Presenters: Vincent Ho, MD; Amy Joyce, NP; Sarah Hammond, MD
    Information current as of April 9, 2020

    Patients who have had a stem cell transplant are especially vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic. Special precautions are needed for this at-risk population. During this webinar, we covered how to:

    • Monitor patients for COVID-19 symptoms
    • Know when to test for COVID-19 after transplant
    • Recognize COVID-19 symptoms in immune-compromised patients
    • Manage transplant complications
    • Understand when a patient requires inpatient care
    • Treat transplant side effects and COVID-19 simultaneously


  • Thoracic Cancer


  • Webinar: Thoracic Cancer and COVID-19

    On June 11, 2020, Pasi Jänne, MD, PhD, Director of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology and Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, and colleagues led a discussion and Q&A on how COVID-19 is changing the screening, management and treatment of thoracic cancer, including:

    • The impact on lung cancer screening
    • The role of telemedicine in caring for cancer patients
    • Managing clinical trials

    Faculty:

    Pasi Jänne, MD, PhD
    Director, Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology
    Director, Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science

    Julia Rotow, MD
    Medical Oncologist, Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology

    Mark Awad, MD, PhD
    Clinical Director, Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology

  • Keeping Patients Safe

    Please note: We have taken many steps to keep our patients safe during their visits to Dana-Farber, and to support them during this time.


  • Care for the Caregiver: How to Handle Stress and Anxiety During COVID-19

    Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers are continuing to treat patients during the COVID-19 pandemic — and many are doing so while dealing with their own stresses and anxieties. If you are a healthcare provider, here are some tips on how you can help yourself while continuing to be there for your patients.

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