Risks Of Performing Surgery During Covid-19
- Exposure to the hospital environment and limited protective equipment could put patients’ and staff’s health at risk
- It’s important that physicians and patients have an honest conversation about whether surgery can be delayed
- Active surveillance is an option for prostate cancer patients who can delay surgery
“The question is what is the risk of doing surgery now in this environment versus waiting until some future time point,” Dr. Stephen Freedland, Director of Center for Integrated Research in Cancer and Lifestyle at Cedars Sinai, explains to SurvivorNet.
The question posed by Dr. Freedland is at the top of many physicians’ and cancer patients’ minds during Covid-19. However, there are important steps to take first in order to decide whether a cancer surgery must be performed or rescheduled. Dr. Freedland stresses the importance of being honest with patients about risks and benefits of prostate cancer surgery during the coronavirus pandemic. He lists the risks as exposing themselves to a hospital environment as well as exposing hospital staff helping them, which can be harmful seeing as Covid-19 can be contracted through the air. Another risk is the limited protective gear and equipment for hospital staff, which will make rationing resources even more difficult between patients waiting for surgery and Covid-19 cases.
“I think it really is a discussion with the patient,” Dr. Freedland says. “Can this safely be delayed for a period of time? I think the challenge is if we knew this would be two or three months it would be one discussion, but we don’t know how long this will be delayed.”
Aggressive tumors typically need surgery immediately, but in cases of prostate cancer, Dr. Freedland says surgeries can sometimes wait can wait a few months. If a surgery can be postponed, going on active surveillance is an option so patients will still be monitored while waiting.
Active Surveillance In Prostate Cancer Treatment
While some patients may be pushing for surgeries, monitoring a diagnosis can sometimes be just as effective for patients with early-stage prostate cancer. With active surveillance, patients will be watched to see if the cancer changes while in the prostate, and if it does then it will be treated.
“With active surveillance you preserve your normal functioning,” Dr. James Brooks, a urologic oncologist at Stanford Hospital & Clinics, tells SurvivorNet. “You don’t have to suffer some of those potential side effects of sexual dysfunction or urinary dysfunction.”
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Dr. Stephen Freedland is Director of the Center for Integrated Research in Cancer and Lifestyle at Cedars-Sinai and a faculty physician in the Division of Urology at the Cedars-Sinai Department of Surgery. Read More
Risks Of Performing Surgery During Covid-19
- Exposure to the hospital environment and limited protective equipment could put patients’ and staff’s health at risk
- It’s important that physicians and patients have an honest conversation about whether surgery can be delayed
- Active surveillance is an option for prostate cancer patients who can delay surgery
“The question is what is the risk of doing surgery now in this environment versus waiting until some future time point,”
Dr. Stephen Freedland, Director of Center for Integrated Research in Cancer and Lifestyle at Cedars Sinai, explains to SurvivorNet.
The question posed by Dr. Freedland is at the top of many physicians’ and cancer patients’ minds during Covid-19. However, there are important steps to take first in order to decide whether a cancer surgery must be performed or rescheduled. Dr. Freedland stresses the importance of being honest with patients about risks and benefits of prostate cancer surgery during the coronavirus pandemic. He lists the risks as exposing themselves to a hospital environment as well as exposing hospital staff helping them, which can be harmful seeing as Covid-19 can be contracted through the air. Another risk is the limited protective gear and equipment for hospital staff, which will make rationing resources even more difficult between patients waiting for surgery and Covid-19 cases.
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“I think it really is a discussion with the patient,” Dr. Freedland says. “Can this safely be delayed for a period of time? I think the challenge is if we knew this would be two or three months it would be one discussion, but we don’t know how long this will be delayed.”
Aggressive tumors typically need surgery immediately, but in cases of prostate cancer, Dr. Freedland says surgeries can sometimes wait can wait a few months. If a surgery can be postponed, going on active surveillance is an option so patients will still be monitored while waiting.
Active Surveillance In Prostate Cancer Treatment
While some patients may be pushing for surgeries, monitoring a diagnosis can sometimes be just as effective for patients with early-stage prostate cancer. With active surveillance, patients will be watched to see if the cancer changes while in the prostate, and if it does then it will be treated.
“With active surveillance you preserve your normal functioning,” Dr. James Brooks, a urologic oncologist at Stanford Hospital & Clinics, tells SurvivorNet. “You don’t have to suffer some of those potential side effects of sexual dysfunction or urinary dysfunction.”
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Dr. Stephen Freedland is Director of the Center for Integrated Research in Cancer and Lifestyle at Cedars-Sinai and a faculty physician in the Division of Urology at the Cedars-Sinai Department of Surgery. Read More
