Recomendaciones para el diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento del cáncer de mama durante la pandemia de SARS-Cov-2/COVID-19 en Colombia

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to an extraordinary and unprecedented crisis in health services, challenging the routine management of patients with breast disease. The main purpose of  the following recommendations is to determine temporary prioritization schemes in the care route of these patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia. These recommendations are aimed at medical personnel and other health professionals involved in managing patients with breast disease, and to oncological IPS and members of the General System for Social and Health Security in Colombia. The recommendations issued are based on those published by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), and were adapted by a group of experts from ACM (The Colombian Mastology Association) and AMA (the Antioquia Mastology Association)  with permission from the ACS. Adjustment suggestions were received from ACHO, ACRO and ACR representatives (Colombian Association of Hemato-Oncology - Colombian Association of Oncological Radiotherapy, and Colombian Association of Radiology, respectively). Three severity phases of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Colombian territory are proposed, along with recommendations for performing diagnostic images, outpatient consultation, surgery, systemic management, and radiotherapy, depending on the severity phases. These recommendations do not void or replace individual medical judgment, or national, regional, or institutional health policies. They aim to stimulate interdisciplinary approaches and adaptability and are subject to changes and updates according to new available evidence and the dynamic behavior of the pandemic.