Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on treatment of colorectal cancer patients

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Elamin D., ÖZGÜR İ., Steele S. R., Khorana A. A., Jia X., Gorgun E.

American Journal of Surgery, vol.225, no.5, pp.934-936, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 225 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2023.01.028
  • Journal Name: American Journal of Surgery
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Biotechnology Research Abstracts, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Page Numbers: pp.934-936
  • Keywords: Colorectal cancer, COVID, Delay, Incidence, Staging, Treatment
  • Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background: Modifications to practice during COVID pandemic impacted health maintenance and treatment of cancer patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all consecutive patients presenting to our institution with a new diagnosis of colorectal cancer pre-COVID (January 2017 to December 2019) and post-COVID (January to December 2020). Results: The total number of patients with a new diagnosis of CRC was 2196. The pre-COVID period had 1891 patients whereas post-COVID period had 305. The median number of patients diagnosed with CRC per month was 50 and 35.5 pre and post-COVID, respectively. Time to treatment initiation was similar with no difference in stage at presentation for the pre and post-COVID periods. Conclusion: There was a significant decrease in colorectal cancer diagnosis number and rate (p < 0.01) during the COVID era with no difference in staging at diagnosis or time to treatment initiation.