ADVERTISEMENT
Impact of COVID-19 on colorectal cancer management: Single-center experience
Background
Colorectal cancer (CCR) is the third most common and the second most deadly cancer with 1.9 million new diagnoses worldwide in 2020. COVID-19 pandemic placed an unprecedented burden on health systems worldwide, directly impacting cancer patients’ management. Health-care systems reorganization led to a decrease on all non-urgent surgical and medical procedures, delaying cancer screening protocols. This study aims to access the impact of COVID-19 on Colorectal Cancer management in a Portuguese Oncology Department.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study comparing the new colorectal cancer diagnosis between March/2019 and March/2022. New diagnosis between March/2019 and March/2020 were assigned to Cohort 1 “Before COVID-19 Pandemic” and new diagnosis between March/2020 and March/2022 assigned to Cohort 2 “During COVID-19 Pandemic”. Data was collected from digital medical records and statistical analysis performed using SPSS V.25 IBM®.
Results
Between March/19 and March/22 were diagnosed 313 new colorectal cancers, 116 (37%) assigned to Cohort 1 “Before COVID-19 Pandemic” and 197 (63%) to Cohort 2 “During COVID-19 Pandemic”. Analysing the new diagnosis in Cohort 2, 105 (34%) occurred between March/20-21 and 92 (29%) between March/21-22. Mean age at diagnosis of 69 (30-96) years for Cohort 1 and 68 (32-94) years for Cohort 2. 42% (n=49) females and 58% (n=68) males in Cohort 1 compared to 38% (n=77) females and 62% (n=123) males in Cohort 2. Colorectal cancer screening diagnosed 36% (n=42) patients in Cohort 1 and 35% (n=69) in Cohort 2. Clinical presentation with bowel obstruction was seen in 25% (n=29) in Cohort 1 and 37% (n=74) in Cohort 2 (p=0.02). Metastatic disease at diagnosis in 13% (n=14) for Cohort 1 and 26% (n=52) for Cohort 2 (p=0.07). Regarding management, 39% (n=46) underwent adjuvant systemic treatment in Cohort 1 compared to 28% (n=55) in Cohort 2 (p=0.03). Palliative systemic treatment was agreed for 7% (n=10) in Cohort 1 and 17% (n=36) in Cohort 2 (p=0.02). At diagnosis, best supportive care was decided for 2% (n=2) in the first Cohort and 15% (n=30) (p=0.03). Overall survival of 25 (1-36) months for Cohort 1 and 10 (1-23) months for Cohort 2.
Conclusions
Comparison between pre-pandemic and in-pandemic periods revealed a numeric reduction on new cases of colorectal cancer in each 12 months period. Despite similar rate of diagnosis by colorectal cancer screening, statistical significance was found when comparing clinical presentation with bowel obstruction or metastatic disease. Despite that, less patients underwent adjuvant systemic treatment in cohort 2 and more were evaluated for best supportive care at diagnosis. These findings may be explained by more advanced disease in more fragile patients in the Cohort 2 population. The results of our study contribute to the evidence on the impact of COVID-19 pandemics on colorectal cancer with fewer diagnosis, more advanced disease, and lack of re-establishment of pre-pandemic rate of new diagnosis.
Legal entity responsible for the study
The author.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosures
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
