Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma during the COVID-19 Pandemic – São Paulo Clínicas Liver Cancer Group Multidisciplinary Consensus Statement

Abstract

More than 18 million people in 188 countries have been diagnosed as having coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and COVID-19 has been responsible for more than 600,000 deaths worldwide. Brazil is now the second most affected country globally. Faced with this scenario, various public health measures and changes in the daily routines of hospitals were implemented to stop the pandemic. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are at an increased risk for severe COVID-19 as they present with two major diseases: cancer and concomitant chronic liver disease. The COVID-19 pandemic can significantly impact the management of HCC patients from diagnosis to treatment strategies. These patients need special attention and assistance at this time, especially since treatment for tumors cannot be delayed in most cases. The aim of this guideline was to standardize the management of HCC patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This document was developed, on the basis of the best evidence available, by a multidisciplinary team from Instituto do Caˆncer do Estado de Sa˜o Paulo (ICESP), and Instituto Central of the Hospital das Clı´nicas da Universidade de Sa˜o Paulo (HC-FMUSP), which are members of the Sa˜o Paulo Clı´nicas Liver Cancer Group.