COVID-19: What the Brain Tumor Community Needs to Know

This information was last reviewed on May 20, 2022.

A core value of NBTS is “Patients First.” As such, we are committed to providing helpful, accurate, timely, and reliable content to our community regarding coronavirus (COVID-19). Below is the information we have compiled, in one easy-to-access spot, to help you better understand our response to COVID-19, how to protect yourself and others, and what resources are available for behavioral health support.

The situation with COVID-19 is fluid and information is, at times, overwhelming. We will continue to provide to our community facts you can count on as we navigate the road ahead together.

COVID-19 and Brain Tumors – Frequently Asked Questions

COVID-19 is a novel form of a large family of viruses called coronaviruses. The illness causes flu-like symptoms, with the major complication arising from impacts to the respiratory system.

The disease can spread from person to person, through small droplets from the nose or mouth that may spread when a person coughs or sneezes. Another person may catch COVID-19 by breathing in these droplets or by touching a surface that the droplets have landed on and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.

Individuals over the age of 60 and those with chronic conditions and/or compromised immune systems are likely at higher risk for contracting the virus as well as experiencing a more severe illness after infection. Many brain tumor patients, especially malignant brain tumor patients, are considered high risk. Chemotherapy and radiation can compromise a patient’s immune system, making them more susceptible to COVID-19.

What Do You Need To Know About Variants?

According to the CDC, the virus that causes COVID-19 is constantly changing, and new variants of the virus are expected to occur. Sometimes new variants emerge and disappear. Other times, new variants persist. Numerous variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 are being tracked in the United States and globally during this pandemic. Watch the CDC’s educational video “What You Need to Know About Variants” to learn more.

For a comprehensive collection of information regarding COVID-19, visit the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) – What People with Cancer Should Know for more information.

 

 

What is the Difference Between a Third Primary Dose and Booster of a COVID-19 Vaccine?

According to the CDC, a third primary dose is a third dose of an mRNA vaccine, which completes the primary series for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. A third primary dose may prevent serious and possibly life-threatening COVID-19 in people who may not have responded to their two-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine primary series. People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised who have low or no protection after two doses of mRNA vaccines may have an improved immune response after a third primary dose of the same vaccine. Getting a booster enhances or restores protection against COVID-19, which may have decreased over time.

 

 

Should I Get the Third Dose or Booster?

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)* COVID-19 Vaccination Advisory Committee recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all patients with cancer, with a preference for mRNA-based vaccines. You can view the NCCN COVID-19 vaccination guide for people with cancer for additional information.

The CDC has also issued guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccines for moderately or severely immunocompromised people.

*NCCN is a nonprofit alliance of 31 leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education.

 

 

How Can I Protect Myself and My Family?

The CDC recommends the following:

How do I protect a family member who has a condition or is taking medications that weaken their immune system?

 

 

What Should I Know if I Am Currently Receiving Treatment?

If you are receiving treatment for a brain tumor, you may need to travel to your doctor’s office or hospital for medical care. If so, consider these precautions:

You may see restrictions at your treating hospital to protect patients and staff. You may want to visit their website or call your treatment team before your next appointment so you are prepared for any changes.

Preparing for a Telehealth Appointment

Health care providers are turning to telehealth solutions for conducting certain services remotely. Check with your care team and health insurance provider to see if this is available to you, appropriate for you, and covered within your plan.

If telemedicine is an option for you, below are some tips and suggestions for preparing for a virtual appointment:

For more information visit: National Cancer Institute (NCI) – What should I do about getting treatment?

 

 

How Has the Pandemic Affected Participation in Clinical Trials?

According to the NCI, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on trials varies depending on where you live. In regions with fewer cases of COVID-19, clinical trials may not be greatly impacted. In these places, patients are still getting treatment in trials and new patients can join trials.

In places with many more COVID-19 cases, some sites may have stopped enrolling new patients for a while. But they continue to focus on caring for patients who are already in trials.

The NCI Cancer Clinical Trials during COVID-19: Information for People with Cancer resource page will answer questions about conducting clinical trials during the pandemic and what to do if you are interested in enrolling or are currently enrolled.

If you are currently enrolled in a clinical trial, call your research team and follow their guidance. You can also learn more about how brain tumor trials have been impacted by reading the National Brain Tumor Society article “Innovating Brain Tumor Clinical Trials: Lessons Learned During the COVID-19 Experience.”

 

 

Facemasks

NCCN COVID-19 Vaccination Guide for People With Cancer states that people with cancer should continue to follow the recommendations to prevent COVID-19. Caregivers, family, and close contacts should wear masks, maintain social distance, wash your hands, avoiding crowds, minimize travel, and taking any other preventive measures.

What Mask Should I Wear?

According to the Public Health Communications Collaborative, along with getting vaccinated and boostered, experts recommend upgrading your mask if you want optimal protection. You can learn more about the levels of protection different masks provide by viewing their resource: What Mask Should I Wear?

To learn more, visit the CDC’s resource page: Using Masks to Slow the Spread of COVID-19

 

 

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

The CDC provides several resources listed below to inform the public on the latest information regarding COVID-19.

 

 

COVID-19 Testing

As cases are expected to continue to rise, understanding when, how, and where to receive a COVID-19 test is critical. Information on these questions and others related to testing are answered in the CDC resources linked below:

 

 

Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health

A stressful situation like an infectious disease outbreak that requires social distancing, quarantine, or isolation can cause a variety of reactions in different people. You may feel:

If you or a loved one experience any of these reactions for 2 to 4 weeks or more, contact your health care provider or one of the resources below. For more information on COVID-19 and behavioral health, visit:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

 

 

Information and Resources for Parents of Children with Cancer

 

 

Peer-to-Peer Connections During COVID-19

 

 

Financial Assistance Resources

 

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