Impact of COVID‐19 on cancer care: A survey from the French Society of Pediatric Oncology (SFCE)

Rouger-Gaudichon, Jérémie; Gariazzo, Luisa; Thébault, Éric; Brethon, Benoît; Fenwarth, Laurène; Gambart, Marion; Alimi, Aurélia; Réguerre, Yves; Piguet, Christophe; Jubert, Charlotte; Gouache, Elodie; Thébaud, Estelle; Plantaz, Dominique; Paillard, Catherine; Raimbault, Sandra; Haouy, Stèphanie; Schneider, Pascale; Phulpin, Aurélie; Mallebranche, Coralie; Dubrasquet, Mathilde; Berranger, Eva de; Devoldère, Catherine; Laithier, Véronique; Poirée, Maryline; Thouvenin, Sandrine; Carausu, Liana; Dupraz, C.; Bouttefroy, Séverine; André, Nicolas; Gandemer, Virginie

doi:10.1002/pbc.28554

Cited by 9 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Our study also found that 36.1% of patients scheduled for cancer‐directed treatment during the lockdown experienced a delay in delivery of 1 or more modalities of the scheduled treatment. This mirrors the experience of other single‐center and multicenter studies and surveys from across the world 10,11,14‐20 . When we combine these data with a near 50% decline in patient registration, we can conclude that approximately 2 out of 3 children with cancer had delayed diagnosis and/or treatment during this time, thus potentially compromising outcomes.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 70%

“…A survey by WHO done in 155 countries in May 2020 showed the partial or complete disruption of services for cancer treatment in 42% of the countries. 13 Several studies have examined the impact in the context of childhood cancer by surveying health care providers to provide a national, 14 regional, 10 , 11 , 15 or global picture. 16 Alternatively, investigators have used hospital registration and episode statistics to provide individual patient‐level data, however, this has been limited to single‐center studies from a few high‐income countries 17 , 18 , 19 and a single upper middle‐income country.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This mirrors the experience of other single‐center and multicenter studies and surveys from across the world. 10 , 11 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 When we combine these data with a near 50% decline in patient registration, we can conclude that approximately 2 out of 3 children with cancer had delayed diagnosis and/or treatment during this time, thus potentially compromising outcomes. Recognizing the devastating effects of the lockdown, the governmental, institutional, and individual response to the second wave has been more nuanced.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on access to treatment for children with cancer in India and treating center practices

Sharma

Mahajan

Bakhshi

et al. 2021

Cancer

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Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic led the Indian government to announce a nationwide lockdown on March 23, 2020. This study aimed to explore the impact of the pandemic on the accessibility of care for children with cancer and to view strategies adopted by hospitals for service delivery. Methods Weekly average of childhood cancer (≤18 years) patient registrations during pre‐lockdown period (January 1 to March 23, 2020) were compared with post‐lockdown period (March 24 to May 31, 2020). The effect on the scheduled treatment was investigated for post‐lockdown period. A survey of health care providers was conducted to determine centers' adopted strategies. Results In 30 participating centers, 1146 patients with childhood cancer (797 pre‐lockdown period and 349 post‐lockdown period) were registered. The weekly average registration was 67.3 and 35.5 patients during pre‐lockdown and post‐lockdown respectively (decline of 47.9%). Although most centers experienced this decline, there were 4 that saw an increase in patient registrations. The distribution of patients registered post‐lockdown was found significantly different by age (lesser older age, P = .010) and distance (lesser travel distance, P = .001). 36.1% of patients, who were scheduled for any of the treatment modalities (chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation) during the post‐lockdown period, experienced delays. Centers adopted several strategies including modifications to treatment protocols, increased use of growth factors, and increased support from social organizations. Conclusions This multicenter study from India suggests that the COVID‐19 pandemic and the lockdown impacted 2 out of 3 children with cancer. The effect of this on survival is yet to be established.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 70%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on access to treatment for children with cancer in India and treating center practices

Sharma

Mahajan

Bakhshi

et al. 2021

Cancer

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“…However, every situation is unique and clinicians who followed these patients made their decision regarding the patients' own history and potent risk factors, so that no general recommendation to pursue oncologic treatment may be stated from this study. On the contrary, delaying a non-urgent oncologic treatment appears to be wise in the context of suspected or proven infection, as suggested by most clinicians [15]. Conversely, delaying the initial management of children with cancer may be dramatic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the First Wave of COVID-19 on Pediatric Oncology and Hematology: A Report from the French Society of Pediatric Oncology

Rouger-Gaudichon

Thébault

Félix

et al. 2020

Cancers

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Data regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) description are still limited in pediatric oncology. The French society of pediatric oncology (SFCE) initiated a study to better describe COVID-19 in patients followed in French pediatric oncology and hematology wards. All patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and followed in a SFCE center were enrolled. Data from medical records were analyzed for all patients enrolled up to the end of May 2020. Data were available for 37 patients. Thirty-one were children under 18 years of age. Nineteen patients were female. Seventeen patients had a solid tumor, 16 had a hematological malignancy and four recently underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for non-oncological conditions. Twenty-eight patients presented symptoms, most often with fever, cough, rhinorrhea and asthenia. Ground-glass opacities were the most frequent radiological finding with abnormalities mostly bilateral and peripherally distributed. Twenty-four patients received chemotherapy a month prior to COVID-19 diagnosis. Most patients did not require hospitalization. Three patients required oxygen at the time of diagnosis. In total, five patients were admitted in an intensive care unit because of COVID-19 and one died from the disease. Children and young adults treated for a cancer and/or with a HSCT may be at risk for severe COVID-19 and should be closely monitored.

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“…A survey conducted in France showed degradation of medical care and supportive care in pediatric oncology due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 18 A small case series from Italy has described delayed presentation of pediatric patients to emergency during a week at the height of COVID-19 pandemic. Three of these patients were newly diagnosed pediatric malignancy cases and one of them expired.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pediatric Oncology Patients and COVID-19: An Experience from the Tertiary COVID Care Facility in Eastern India: A Prospective Observational Study

Chowdhoury

Biswas

Raut

et al. 2021

Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol

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Introduction Pediatric oncology patients presumably are one of the most vulnerable groups during this ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Not only they are immunocompromised thanks to their inherent disease and treatment regimens, but delay in initiation and maintenance of their treatment in this pandemic era also poses great concern. But the magnitude of this effect on pediatric oncology patients has not been well established due to paucity of data. Objective This study was proposed to assess clinicoepidemiological profile and outcome of the pediatric oncology patients who were infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus attending a COVID-19 care facility. Materials and Methods This was a prospective observational study conducted in a tertiary care hospital. All confirmed oncology patients up to age 12 years who either attended the oncology outpatient department or referred to COVID-19 care center from other cancer treatment facility were included in the study from May 2020 to September 2020. Data on demography, clinical features, investigations, treatment, complications, and outcome were collected. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed and common relevant investigations were compared between non-intensive care unit (ICU) and ICU group. Results The rate of COVID-19 positivity among the pediatric oncology patient attending oncology clinic of the hospital is 8.21%. Total 28 patients (12 from oncology clinic of our hospital and 16 from other hospitals referred to our COVID-19 unit) were included in our study. The most common malignancy was acute lymphoblastic leukemia (64.28%). The most common symptom was fever (64.28%). Oxygen therapy was needed for 42.85% patients. Eight patients required ICU admission (two required invasive ventilation and one required noninvasive ventilation). Positive C-reactive protein value was associated with severe disease requiring ICU admission. Mean delay in starting chemotherapy in newly diagnosed cases was 28.77 days (standard deviation = 9.67). One newly diagnosed patient expired due to preexisting disease. Conclusion Though vulnerable, most of the pediatric oncology patients suffered a mild COVID-19 infection without any significant COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality. There is a significant delay in starting specific oncology therapy, that is, chemotherapy as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in newly diagnosed pediatric oncology patients, which can increase morbidities and mortality related to malignancy.

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Impact of COVID‐19 on cancer care: A survey from the French Society of Pediatric Oncology (SFCE)

Abstract: Bouttefroy, Nicolas André, and Virginie Gandemer participated in the study and data collection, and read and approved the manuscript as submitted.

Cited by 9 publications

References 4 publications

The impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on access to treatment for children with cancer in India and treating center practices

The impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on access to treatment for children with cancer in India and treating center practices

Impact of the First Wave of COVID-19 on Pediatric Oncology and Hematology: A Report from the French Society of Pediatric Oncology

Pediatric Oncology Patients and COVID-19: An Experience from the Tertiary COVID Care Facility in Eastern India: A Prospective Observational Study

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