Abstract

The unprecedented demand for hospital services during the
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically reduced
the capability for dealing with non-acute health needs, including
cancer care [1, 2]. To alleviate burden on health care systems,
including imaging and laboratory services, curtailment of
non-COVID-19-related research activity has been necessary
[3]. Measures that reduce hospital visits have been adopted to
limit risk of infection and death, which is critical in a cancer
population whose age and immunocompromised status increases
their risk [4]. Imaging, however, requires hospital visits
and close contact with staff and equipment; both are sources of
disease transmission. Equipment used to image COVID-19
cases may retain virus on its surface for days [5, 6] unless
disinfected. The need for social distancing and for disinfecting
equipment substantially slows imaging workflow and reduces
throughput. This article discusses the specific impact of pandemics
such as SARS-CoV-2 on imaging in oncological trials.