Challenges and Strategies in Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic in Pediatric Oncology: Lessons Learned

Authors

  • Fernanda Ferreira da Silva Lima Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Seção de Oncologia Pediátrica, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6658-3101
  • Arissa Ikeda Suzuki Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Seção de Oncologia Pediátrica, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9689-5985
  • Lícia Neves Portela Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Seção de Oncologia Pediátrica, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brasil. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3057-2720
  • Luiz Claudio Santos Thuler Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Divisão de Pesquisa Clínica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2550-6537
  • Sima Esther Ferman Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Seção de Oncologia Pediátrica, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7076-6779

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32635/2176-9745.RBC.2025v71n2.5079

Keywords:

COVID-19, Cuidado da Criança, Neoplasias/epidemiologia, Capacidades de Enfrentamento

Abstract

Childhood cancer is a potentially curable disease. Since 2020, the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus brought a major challenge to health systems. National Cancer Institute (INCA) pediatric oncology team created strategies the service has adopted based on discussions among the team and guidelines from the Institute’s hospital infection department. A new structure has been implemented for the pediatric oncology to deal with the challenges, supported by the following pillars: reorganization of the outpatient assistance, restructuring of hospital admissions, continuation of oncologic treatment and monitoring of the adherence to the treatment. After the COVID-19 pandemic, a reflection about the challenges faced and the opportunities that came up is necessary but what was learned became a key asset for everyone. Multidisciplinary teamwork, interpersonal interaction and effective communication among the teams were essential to overcome the obstacles and strengthen healthcare.

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References

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Published

2025-03-19

How to Cite

1.
Ferreira da Silva Lima F, Ikeda Suzuki A, Neves Portela L, Santos Thuler LC, Ferman SE. Challenges and Strategies in Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic in Pediatric Oncology: Lessons Learned. Rev. Bras. Cancerol. [Internet]. 2025 Mar. 19 [cited 2025 Mar. 24];71(2):e-035079. Available from: https://rbc.inca.gov.br/index.php/revista/article/view/5079

Issue

Vol. 71 No. 2 (2025): Apr./May/June

Section

OPINION ARTICLE

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