World Lymphoma Awareness Day- Covid-19 Can Be Fatal for Lymphoma Patients

Business Standard World Lymphoma Awareness Day: Covid-19 can be fatal for lymphoma patients

No study has exactly pinpointed the exact adverse impact of Covid-19 virus on lymphoma/cancer patients but it is widely accepted that they are among high-risk groups

Patients suffering from lymphoma, and having low levels of immunity, are considered among the groups at high risk of contracting Covid-19, and even falling prey to the deadly virus, say doctors.

No study has exactly pinpointed the exact adverse impact of Covid-19 virus on lymphoma/cancer patients but it is widely accepted that they are among highrisk groups.

On the eve of World Lymphoma Awareness Day, the focus is on means to protect those who are at risk of infections, and its adverse effects, medical experts say.

Patients who undergo/undergoing cancer treatment have their immune system compromised, making them more vulnerable to infections, including that of coronavirus. And those with haematological malignancies such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), lymphoma, and myeloma may be particularly vulnerable as these cancers weaken the immune system.

"Immune system of an individual weakens when he/she is put through chemotherapy or immunotherapy or radiation therapy, and increases the risk of patients undergoing these treatments to get infected with SARS-CoV2/Covid-19 virus. Even patients who are not receiving active cancer treatment must stay cautious as the effects of past therapy are usually long-lasting," said Dr Bhanu Prakash, Consultant Medical, haemato-oncology, Medicover Hospitals.