Differences in the Impact of COVID-19 on Pathology Laboratories and Cancer Diagnosis in Girona

Abstract

Introduction: The recent COVID-19 pandemic has compromised socio-health care, with consequences for the diagnosis and follow-up of other pathologies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on cancer diagnosis in Girona, Spain. Methodology: Observational study of samples received in two pathology laboratories during 2019–2020 (tertiary hospital in Girona and county hospital in Figueres). Date, sample type, and location and morphology were available. Samples were recoded to determine malignancy and grouped by location. Comparisons were made by calendar year and period of exposure to COVID-19. Results: 102,360 samples were included: 80,517 from Girona and 21,843 from Figueres. The reduction in activity in the pathology laboratories in 2020 compared to the previous year was 25.4% in Girona and 27.5% in Figueres. The reduction in cancer diagnoses in 2020 compared to 2019 was 6.8% in Girona and 21% in Figueres. In both laboratories, a decrease was observed in the diagnoses of neoplasms of the lip, oral cavity and pharynx, larynx, colon, rectum and anus, kidney and urinary system, melanoma, and central nervous system. A statistically significant higher probability of a sample received in the pathology laboratory displaying malignancy during COVID-19 was found (Girona: OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.23–1.34; Figueres: OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01–1.20) with respect to the COVID-19-free period. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a reduction in cancer diagnoses by pathology departments that varies according to tumor location and type of hospital. Despite this, the optimization of care resources and the recovery effort have partially reduced the impact of the pandemic in certain neoplasms.

Cancer diagnosis in Catalonia (Spain) after two years of COVID-19 pandemic: an incomplete recovery

“…In the first pandemic wave, health systems were subjected to sudden and overwhelming pressure. 2 , 3 In cancer, this meant delaying diagnoses 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 and altering treatment regimens. 30 , 31 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 Subsequent pandemic waves, including the one linked to the omicron variant, have triggered new health crises.…”

“… 38 Meanwhile, a study based on two hospital pathology laboratories reported a decrease of 6% to 20% until December 2020. 40 …”

Dermatopathological Correlation of Clinically Challenging Cutaneous Lesions: A Single Center Experience of 2184 cases

“…The total number of pathology reports was reduced by Several studies examine the post-pandemic period from various perspectives and report similar findings. Admissions to dermatology outpatient departments [47][48][49][50], samples submitted to pathology [51] and cytology [52,53] laboratories, and elective surgical procedures performed [54,55] all decreased; however, the distribution of cases varied depending on the region where the study was conducted.…”

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cervical cancer screening participation, abnormal cytology prevalence and screening interval in Catalonia

“…The potential impact on the cancer stage is unknown. However, no differences have been observed in the prevalence of cancer diagnoses in pathology records from 2019 and 2020 in two hospitals in Girona ( 16 ).…”