Evaluation of non-small cell lung cancer treatment strategies in a region of China with low-risk for COVID-19

Abstract

Purpose This study analyzed the morbidity and mortality associated with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and evaluated treatment strategies for it in a low-risk area of COVID-19 in China. Materials and methods: We selected patients admitted to Sichuan Science City Hospital from September 2019 to February 2020 and divided them into experimental and control groups. The treatment strategy was evaluated by patients’ prognosis. Results: 9,010 patients were hospitalized. The total morbidity was 0.699%, of which 0.504% was observed in the control group and 0.991% in the experimental group (P=0.024). The total mortality was 0.999/103, of which 0.630/103 was observed in the control group and 1.413/103 in the experimental group (P=0.322). Therapy discontinuation and cancer progression in the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group (P＜0.001, P=0.007). The treatment methods and prognosis were not significantly different for early-stage patients between the two groups. Late-stage patients in the experimental group experienced significantly lower percentages of non-surgical treatments (P＜0.001), higher percentages of discontinued therapies (P＜0.001), lower percentages for prognosis of wellness (P＜0.001), and higher percentages of cancer progression (P＜0.001) than the control group. Conclusion: NSCLC exhibited significantly higher morbidities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mortality in the experimental group was slightly higher than the control group, while the difference in cancer progression was significant. It is feasible to perform surgery for early-stage NSCLC patients, and treatment should not be suspended for late-stage patients in regions with low-risk for COVID-19 infection.