Gianluca Vanni1, Marco Pellicciaro2, Marco Materazzo1, Domiziana Pedini1, Ilaria Portarena3, Chiara Buonomo4, Tommaso Perretta5, Stefano Rizza6, Chiara Adriana Pistolese5, Oreste Claudio Buonomo1. 1. Breast Unit, Department of Surgical Science, Policlinico Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy. 2. Breast Unit, Department of Surgical Science, Policlinico Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy; marcopell62@gmail.com. 3. Department of Oncology, Policlinico Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy. 4. Department of Emergency and Admission, Critical Care Medicine, Pain Medicine and Anesthetic Science, Policlinico Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy. 5. Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Molecular Imaging and Radiotherapy, Policlinico Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy. 6. Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: The COVID-19 lockdown includes restrictive measures and temporary health system reorganization. Resources were shifted to COVID-19 patients, screening programs were temporary suspended, and oncological care suffered slow-down. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of these measures on breast cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All breast cancer patients referred to our unit from February 21, 2019 to February 21, 2021 were enrolled. Type of treatments and surgery, TNM, tumor diameter, and predictive and prognostic factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 445 patients with a breast cancer diagnosis, 182 (40.9%) were enrolled in the COVID-19 group (from February 21, 2010 to February 21, 2021). These patients were compared with 263 (59.1%) patients pre-COVID-19. Tumor diameters were bigger in the COVID-19 group. Type of surgery and N staging were statistically significantly different. Extreme advanced disease incidence was significantly different between the groups (2.7% COVID-19 group vs. 0 pre-COVID-19 group, p=0.011). Incidence of post-surgical radiation-therapy was higher in the COVID-19 group. Other variables analyzed were comparable without a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 led to increased tumor dimensions, advanced N-staging, and increased need for adjuvant treatments in breast cancer.
BACKGROUND/AIM: The COVID-19 lockdown includes restrictive measures and temporary health system reorganization. Resources were shifted to COVID-19patients, screening programs were temporary suspended, and oncological care suffered slow-down. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of these measures on breast cancerpatients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All breast cancerpatients referred to our unit from February 21, 2019 to February 21, 2021 were enrolled. Type of treatments and surgery, TNM, tumor diameter, and predictive and prognostic factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 445 patients with a breast cancer diagnosis, 182 (40.9%) were enrolled in the COVID-19 group (from February 21, 2010 to February 21, 2021). These patients were compared with 263 (59.1%) patients pre-COVID-19. Tumor diameters were bigger in the COVID-19 group. Type of surgery and N staging were statistically significantly different. Extreme advanced disease incidence was significantly different between the groups (2.7% COVID-19 group vs. 0 pre-COVID-19 group, p=0.011). Incidence of post-surgical radiation-therapy was higher in the COVID-19 group. Other variables analyzed were comparable without a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION:COVID-19 led to increased tumor dimensions, advanced N-staging, and increased need for adjuvant treatments in breast cancer.
Authors: Renata Colombo Bonadio; Ana Paula Messias; Otavio Augusto Moreira; Letícia Vecchi Leis; Bruna Zanin Orsi; Laura Testa; Maria Del Pilar Estevez-Diz Journal: Ecancermedicalscience Date: 2021-10-04