Impact of the SARS-CoV2 pandemic dissemination on the management of neuroendocrine neoplasia in Italy: a report from the Italian Association for Neuroendocrine Tumors (Itanet)

Abstract

Introduction The organization of the healthcare system has significantly changed after the recent COVID-19 outbreak, with a negative impact on the management of oncological patients. The present survey reports data collected by the Italian Association for Neuroendocrine Tumors on the management of patients with neuroendocrine neoplasia (NEN) during the pandemic dissemination. Methods A survey with 57 questions was sent to NEN-dedicated Italian centers regarding the management of patients in the period March 9, 2020, to May 9, 2020 Results The main modification in the centers' activity consisted of decreases in newly diagnosed NEN patients (− 76.8%), decreases in performed surgical procedures (− 58%), delays to starting peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (45.5%), postponed/canceled follow-up examinations (26%), and canceled multidisciplinary teams' activity (20.8%). A low proportion of centers (< 10%) reported having to withdraw systemic anti-tumor medical treatment due to concerns about the pandemic situation, whereas PRRT was withdrawn from no patients. Conclusion Although the COVID-19 outbreak induced the centers to reduce some important activities in the management of NEN patients, the Italian network was able to provide continuity in care without withdrawing anti-tumor treatment for the majority of patients.

New cancer cases at the time of SARS-Cov2 pandemic and related public health policies: A persistent and concerning decrease long after the end of the national lockdown

“…Screening for breast and colorectal cancers had decreased by 89% and 85%, respectively. An Italian survey concluded than the incidence of neuroendocrine neoplasia (NEN) decreased by 77% during the national lockdown ( 17 ).…”

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“…From a survey focused on the management of patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) during the pandemic (COVINET), it emerged that most of the 24 responding centres (21, 87.5%) used telemedicine for follow-up visits of these patients, which were conducted by phone, video calls, email or instant messaging ( 22 ). Operational modifications reported in the survey by Freudenberg et al included the adoption of online conferences (57%), online reporting (26%), and video consultations for patients and referring physicians (26%) ( 3 ).…”

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“…As no one would ever have imagined, in 2020, a new pandemic undoubtedly put societies all over the world to the test. The 2020 SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and the related severe pneumonia has had a significant impact on healthcare organizations and on the general management of oncological patients that have a higher risk of infections [ 115 ]. In most countries, oncological centers remodulated access to the hospital and cancer management in order to minimize the exposure of cancer patients to the infection.…”