Tumori Journal Abstract Book - October 2020 - 70

Tumori Journal 106(2S)

Ratti M.1, Grizzi G.1, Bonomi M.1, Brighenti M.1, Marchi R.1, Negri
F.1, Donati G.1, Gobbi A.1, Barbin F.1, Perrucci B.1, Giganti M.1,
Donini M.1, Panni S.1, Curti A.1, Ferrari B.1, Foroni C.1, Gerevini F.1,
Saleri J.1, Passalacqua R.1

Merloni F.1, Ranallo N.1, Bastianelli L.1, Vitarelli F.1, Cantini L.1,
Ballatore Z.1, Ricci G.1, Fiordoliva I.1, Tassone L.1, Ferretti B.2,
Alessandroni P.3, Del Prete M.4, Chiorrini S.5, Safi M.6, Ficarelli R.7,
Benedetti G.8, Faloppi L.9, Stoico R.1, Berardi R.1

ASST Cremona, Cremona

Background: The province of Cremona had one of the
highest incidence of COVID-19 (COV-19) infection in
Italy. The pandemic determined a significant shrinkage of
our healthcare resources with difficulty for many patients
(pts) to be assisted in the hospital, especially for the risk of
being infected. Therefore, we created a homecare project
for cancer pts with the aim of reducing hospitalizations,
accesses to the oncology ward and emergency room.
Methods: The team was composed by oncologists and
nurses from the Oncology Unit of Cremona Community
Hospital, supported by a secretary with a dedicated telephone number. The assistance was provided from Monday
to Saturday, 9 AM-5 PM. Cancer pts were eligible if presenting confirmed diagnosis or suggestive symptoms for
COV-19. A telephonic triage was performed. Cancer pts
and their cohabitants were tested with at least 2 nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS). Blood test, medical examinations and vital parameters were performed. We advised
screened individuals to follow the quarantine procedures,
providing them with an information leaflet. We administered oral/infusional treatments, including antiviral drugs.
Results: From March 23rd to April 30th 2020, 71 cancer pts
were assisted at home, with a total of 191 visits. Of the 71 pts
tested with NPS, 26 resulted COV-19 positive (COV-19+).
19 of COV-19+ pts had mild symptoms; 7 pts with stable
vital parameters and initial pneumonia were successfully
treated at home with hydroxychloroquine, antivirals and
NSAIDs. 7 pts with severe symptoms were promptly hospitalized. 4 of them died, 2 due to the infection, 2 to progression
disease. 52 cohabitants were screened with NPS, 28 lived
with a COV-19+ cancer patient; in this subgroup, 16 resulted
COV-19+. 15 of them were completely asymptomatic.
Conclusions: This project demonstrated the feasibility of an
innovative model based on homecare assistance for COV19+ cancer pts with mild symptoms. This strategy, limiting
the number of hospital accesses for COV-19+ pts, might be
useful to contain the spread of the infection. Further studies
are needed to test this strategy in COV-19 negative cancer
pts. Moreover, our experience indicates a high probability of
identifying asymptomatic positive individuals cohabiting
with COVID+ pts. NPS screening for asymptomatic subjects is not routinely performed in Italy. There is a urgent
need to extend the screening to this population.

D11
COVID19 pandemic: patients'
perspective during cancer
treatment

Clinica Oncologica e Centro Regionale di Genetica Oncologica, Università
Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, AOU Ospedali Riuniti-Ancona, Ancona,
Ancona; 2U.O. Oncologia, Ospedale B.Eustachio, San Severino, San Severino
(MC); 3U.O. Oncologia, Azienda Ospedaliera Ospedali Riuniti Marche Nord,
Pesaro, Pesaro; 4U.O. Oncologia, Ospedale A. Murri, Fermo, Fermo; 5U.O
Oncologia, Ospedale Profili, Fabriano, Fabriano (AN); 6U.O. Oncologia,
Ospedali C.Urbani, Jesi, Jesi (AN); 7U.O. Oncologia, Ospedale Civile di Urbino,
Urbino, Urbino (PU); 8U.O. Oncologia, Ospedale di Civitanova, Civitanova
Marche, Civitanova Marche (MC); 9U.O. Oncologia, Ospedale di Macerata,
Macerata, Macerata

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
outbreak has been declared global pandemic and Italy is
one of the first and heavily affected countries. Cancer
patients are a population at higher risk from COVID-19
both for intrinsic fragility bound to their underlying disease and oncologic treatment delay. Aim of our survey
was to investigate how cancer patients perceived their
health condition, their clinical management and information communication by their medical oncologists during
the pandemic.
Methods: Between 15th April and 1st May 2020 a survey
was submitted to cancer patients under treatment at hospitals of Marche Region which had been invested by the
pandemic. It consisted of questions regarding the perception of personal safety, continuity of cancer care and information quality provided by the Oncology Department and
individual psychological distress.
Results: A total of 661 patients participated in the survey; 60.2% was female and 40.4% was aged between 46
and 65. Almost all of the attendees (97.7%) stated that
the Oncologic Department complied with the appropriate safety standards and 78% was reassured about their
concerns during the medical interview, but 41% was
worried of being at higher risk of infection upon entry
into the Oncology Department and 53.3% felt being at
greater risk of infection because of chemotherapy treatment in general. The majority of the participants (62.2%)
felt that postponing cancer treatment could reduce its
efficacy, however 80% declared they did not feel abandoned at the time of treatment delay. 79.4% of the attendees felt more worried for their underlying disease in this
emergency situation, but the mood worsened only for
34.2% of the participants.
Conclusions: Our survey reveals that Oncology
Departments have been considered worthy of the emergency in terms of safety standards and care management
by cancer patients. However, the majority of attendees
perceived the mutual negative influence between their
underlying oncologic disease and risk of Sars-CoV-2
infection and manifested concerns about their health condition highlighting the need for special measures to ensure
safe continuity of care.

Tumori Journal Abstract Book - October 2020

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