COVID-19 threatens to cause collateral delay in cancer diagnosis

Miranda, Diego Lopes Paim; Nogueira-Rodrigues, Angélica; Fagundes, Thales Pardini; Albuquerque, Ronniel Morais; Landeiro, Luciana Castro Garcia

doi:10.1590/1516-3180.2020.033730062020

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…During the post-lockdown period, invasive breast cancers were more often palpable, and were detected at a later stage. In particular, frequency of locally advanced tumours (T3 and T4) and axillary lymph node invasion (N), which are known to be the most important prognostic factors for long-term survival [ 16 ] respectively increased by 80% and 64% in comparison with those in 2019. Given that screening programmes and follow-up examinations had resumed at this time, and that the lower number of cancers diagnosed during the lockdown was balanced by the increasing detection of cases in the post-lockdown period, we conclude that the later stage of breast cancers was not only related to the selection of more advanced cases but was also due to a delayed diagnosis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown in France on the diagnosis and staging of breast cancers in a tertiary cancer centre

et al. 2021

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Objectives Due to COVID-19, a lockdown took place between March 17 and May 1, 2020, in France. This study evaluates the impact of the lockdown on the diagnosis and staging of breast cancers in a tertiary cancer centre. Methods Our database was searched for all consecutive invasive breast cancers diagnosed in our institution during the lockdown (36 working days), during equivalent periods of 36 working days before and after lockdown and a reference period in 2019. The number and staging of breast cancers diagnosed during and after lockdown were compared to the pre-lockdown and reference periods. Tumour maximum diameters were compared using the Mann–Whitney test. Proportions of tumour size categories (T), ipsilateral axillary lymph node invasion (N) and presence of distant metastasis (M) were compared using Fisher’s exact test. Results Compared to the reference period ( n = 40 in average), the number of breast cancers diagnosed during lockdown ( n = 32) decreased by 20% but increased by 48% after the lockdown ( n = 59). After the lockdown, comparatively to the reference period, breast cancers were more often symptomatic (86% vs 57%; p = 0.001) and demonstrated bigger tumour sizes ( p = 0.0008), the rates of small tumours (T1) were reduced by 38%, locally advanced cancers (T3, T4) increased by 80% and lymph node invasion increased by 64%. Conclusion The COVID-19 lockdown was associated with a 20% decrease in the number of diagnosed breast cancers. Because of delayed diagnosis, breast cancers detected after the lockdown had poorer prognosis with bigger tumour sizes and higher rates of node invasion. Key Points • The number of breast cancer diagnosed in a large tertiary cancer centre in France decreased by 20% during the first COVID-19 lockdown. • Because of delayed diagnosis, breast cancers demonstrated bigger tumour size and more frequent axillary lymph node invasion after the lockdown. • In case of a new lockdown, breast screening programme and follow-up examinations should not be suspended and patients with clinical symptoms should be encouraged to seek attention promptly.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown in France on the diagnosis and staging of breast cancers in a tertiary cancer centre

et al. 2021

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“…Such action, in the long run, may, however, translate into an increase in the diagnosis of advanced cancers, which reduces the therapeutic options that can be applied. [9] The number of performed endoscopies during the pandemic done in April 2020, was 90% fewer than the number done in each of the first three months of 2020. [10] After the lockdown, in June 2020 the diagnostic services had restarted, however, the capacity was reduced.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Ewing's Sarcoma in a 58-Year-Old Man: Oncological Diagnosis in the Time of COVID-19

Mojsak¹,

Dębczyński²,

Kuklińska³

et al. 2022

Clin Cancer Investig J

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Ewing's sarcoma is a rare and extremely aggressive neoplasm with a tendency to recur even after radical surgery and a tendency to early metastasis. This cancer is characteristic of the pediatric population because the peak incidence of this type of cancer occurs in patients between 10 and 20 years of age, but about 30% of cases occur in older patients. We present a case of Ewing's sarcoma in a 58year-old man with a foot tumor manifestation with a history of back and left leg pain. Due to a lung tumor in the chest X-ray, the patient was referred to the Pulmonology Department, however, the diagnosis was postponed for many months, which in the case of an aggressive tumor, such as Ewing's sarcoma, significantly worsened the initially unfavorable prognosis. The COVID-19 pandemic is having a strong impact on the healthcare systems of countries around the world. Reorganizing medical care and focusing on the pandemic has an impact on the diagnosis and treatment of other diseases. In the current situation, we observe an increase in the number of patients presenting at an advanced stage of the disease, which excludes the possibility of radical treatment. Fear of infection causes both patients to avoid diagnosing disease by focusing on acute symptomatic treatment. The discussed case shows the possible impact of the epidemiological situation of the COVID19 pandemic on the diagnosis and treatment of oncology.

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“…Restrictions on access to healthcare and delays in cancer diagnoses due to COVID-19 have been reported in various studies to date, affecting both children and adults (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11) In Türkiye, the first case of COVID-19 was reported on March 11, 2020, after which the number of reported cases and deaths witnessed a rapid increase. At the beginning of April 2020, strict restrictions on hospital visits and travel were imposed by the Turkish government, instilling a state of panic in the public, and leading to a reluctance to attend hospitals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Pandemisinin Teşhis ve Tedavi Gecikmesine Etkisi: Çocukluk çağı maliyn solid tümör sonuçları

ÇAKMAKCI,

SARI,

YAZAL ERDEM

et al. 2023

Türkiye Çocuk Hast Derg

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Objective: Restriction of access to healthcare during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a major problem for patients with cancer. Although childhood cancers are highly curable, it is obvious that diagnostic and treatment disruptions will lead to poor results. In our study, we investigated whether children with newly diagnosed cancer and under treatment were affected by the restrictions and the clinical course and outcomes of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 during cancer treatment. Materials and Methods: We applied a questionnaire consisting of 18 questions to parents. Data were collected from medical files of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 during anticancer treatment. Results: Thirty-five of the patients were newly diagnosed and 55 patients were on-going treatment. Since 13 (38%) of newly diagnosed patients visited the hospital late, cancer diagnosis was delayed. Treatment delay occurred in 9 (16%) of the patients whose receiving chemotherapy. Fifty-eight patients developed COVID-19 infection at different stages of their anticancer treatment. Almost all patients recovered from COVID-19 with mild symptoms. Conclusion: While strict measures are required to control the pandemic, patients with severe critical illness such as cancer should be carefully evaluated and treatment delays that may have vital consequences should be avoided. In pediatric patients with cancer whom infected by COVID-19, continuation of anticancer treatment should be considered by evaluating the clinical status of the patient.

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COVID-19 threatens to cause collateral delay in cancer diagnosis

Cited by 5 publications

References 2 publications

Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown in France on the diagnosis and staging of breast cancers in a tertiary cancer centre

Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown in France on the diagnosis and staging of breast cancers in a tertiary cancer centre

Ewing's Sarcoma in a 58-Year-Old Man: Oncological Diagnosis in the Time of COVID-19

COVID-19 Pandemisinin Teşhis ve Tedavi Gecikmesine Etkisi: Çocukluk çağı maliyn solid tümör sonuçları

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