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Magnoni F, Tinterri C, Corso G, Curigliano G, Leonardi MC, Toesca A, Rocco N, Catalano F, Bianchi B, Lauria F, Caldarella P, Pagani G, Galimberti V, Veronesi P. The multicenter experience in the multidisciplinary Italian breast units: a review and update. Eur J Cancer Prev 2024; 33:185-191. [PMID: 37997909 DOI: 10.1097/cej.0000000000000853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
A breast unit is a multidisciplinary center specialized in the management of women with breast diseases, including breast cancer (BC). It represents a care path, passing from screening activities to diagnostic investigations, from surgery to the definition of the therapeutic strategy, from psychophysical rehabilitation to long-term checks (follow-up), and up to genetic counseling. Since 2006, following a resolution issued by the European Parliament to urge member states to activate multidisciplinary breast centers by 2016, work has been underway throughout Italy to improve the management of women with BC. In Italy, the State-Regions agreement was signed on 18 December 2014, sanctioning the establishment of breast units. These centers must adhere to specific quality criteria and requirements. In 2020, the experts of the EUSOMA group (European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists), in their latest document published, expanded the requirements of the breast units. Furthermore, Senonetwork was founded in 2012 with the aim of allowing BC to be treated in breast units that comply with European requirements to ensure equal treatment opportunities for all Italian women. Indeed, the available data indicate that the BC patient has a greater chance of better treatment in the breast units with a multidisciplinary team, thus increasing the survival rate with a better quality of life, compared to those managed in nonspecialized structures. The present review is a perspective on the current Italian reality of breast units, updated with the available literature and the most recent epidemiological data from Senonetwork and AgeNaS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Magnoni
- Division of Breast Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- European Cancer Prevention Organization (ECP), Milan, Italy
| | - Corrado Tinterri
- Breast Unit, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Corso
- Division of Breast Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- European Cancer Prevention Organization (ECP), Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Curigliano
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Medical Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Toesca
- Division of Breast Surgical Oncology, Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo (To), Italy
| | - Nicola Rocco
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Catalano
- Multidisciplinary Breast Unit, Cannizzaro Hospital of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Beatrice Bianchi
- Division of Breast Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Lauria
- Division of Breast Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Caldarella
- Division of Breast Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianmatteo Pagani
- Division of Breast Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Viviana Galimberti
- Division of Breast Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Veronesi
- Division of Breast Surgery, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Baù MG, Borella F, Mano MP, Giordano L, Carosso M, Surace A, Mondino A, Gallio N, Benedetto C. Adherence to Quality Indicators for Breast Cancer Management in a Multidisciplinary Training Program. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1693. [PMID: 38138920 PMCID: PMC10744846 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13121693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The management of early breast cancer (BC) needs supervision and skill maintenance, and should be performed by specialists working as a team in multidisciplinary breast units. This approach aims to improve the long-term survival and quality of life of patients with BC. Methods: This was a prospective observational study including patients newly diagnosed with operable BC. The study encompassed the pre-surgical phase, throughout the diagnostic and surgical workout, and included post-therapeutic master multidisciplinary team meetings (MTMs) sessions, between 2019 and 2022. Results: We enrolled 280 patients with BC from eight breast units. The Senonetwork indicators regarding diagnosis, waiting time, loco-regional treatment, and adjuvant therapy were collected for each patient discussed. Conclusions: Overall, the majority of quality indicators were respected among breast units. The most critical issue referred to timing indicators: more than 30 days from MTM to surgery, more than 42 days from diagnosis to surgery, and more than 60 days from the first screening mammogram to surgery for many patients. Some aspects of the histopathological diagnosis of intraductal BC also need to be improved. Furthermore, other critical issues in our study regarded some aesthetical indicators, demonstrating low interest in these essential quality indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Baù
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Maria Vittoria Hospital, 10144 Turin, Italy;
| | - Fulvio Borella
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit 1, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Sant’Anna Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy; (M.C.); (C.B.)
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Via Ventimiglia 1, 10126 Turin, Italy (A.M.)
| | - Maria Piera Mano
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Via Ventimiglia 1, 10126 Turin, Italy (A.M.)
| | - Livia Giordano
- Unit of Epidemiology, CPO Piemonte, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, San Giovanni Antica Sede, 10123 Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Carosso
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit 1, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Sant’Anna Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy; (M.C.); (C.B.)
| | - Alessandra Surace
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit, Michele e Pietro Ferrero Hospital, 12060 Verduno, Italy;
| | - Aurelia Mondino
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Via Ventimiglia 1, 10126 Turin, Italy (A.M.)
| | - Niccolò Gallio
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit 2, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Sant’Anna Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Chiara Benedetto
- Gynecology and Obstetrics Unit 1, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Sant’Anna Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy; (M.C.); (C.B.)
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Via Ventimiglia 1, 10126 Turin, Italy (A.M.)
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Myers C, Bennett K, Cahir C. Breast cancer care amidst a pandemic: a scoping review to understand the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on health services and health outcomes. Int J Qual Health Care 2023; 35:mzad048. [PMID: 37497806 PMCID: PMC10373113 DOI: 10.1093/intqhc/mzad048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, health services for breast cancer (BC) have been disrupted. Our scoping review examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on BC services, health outcomes, and well-being for women. Additionally, this review identifies social inequalities specific to BC during the pandemic. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews guidelines, the literature search was conducted using scientific databases starting from March 2020 through November 2021. Studies were identified and selected by two researchers based on inclusion criteria, and the relevant data were extracted and charted to summarize the findings. Ninety-three articles were included in this review. Main themes included are as follows: (i) the impact of COVID-19 on BC services; (ii) the impact of COVID-19 on health outcomes and well-being in women with BC; and (iii) any variation in the impact of COVID-19 on BC by social determinants of health. There were apparent disruptions to BC services across the cancer continuum, especially screening services. Clinical repercussions were a result of such disruptions, and women with BC experienced worsened quality of life and psychosocial well-being. Finally, there were social inequalities dependent on social determinants of health such as age, race, insurance status, and region. Due to the disruption of BC services during the COVID-19 pandemic, women were impacted on their health and overall well-being. The variation in impact demonstrates how health inequities have been exacerbated during the pandemic. This comprehensive review will inform timely health-care changes to minimize long-term impacts of the pandemic and improve evidence-based multidisciplinary needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Myers
- School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Science, Dublin D02 DH60, Ireland
| | - Kathleen Bennett
- Data Science Centre, School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Science, Dublin D02 DH60, Ireland
| | - Caitriona Cahir
- Data Science Centre, School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Science, Dublin D02 DH60, Ireland
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Covelli V, Camisasca E, Manzoni GM, Crescenzo P, Marelli A, Visco MA, Cafagna D, Marsicovetere V, Pesce M, Cantoia M. After the first lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic: Perceptions, experiences, and effects on well-being in Italian people. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1172456. [PMID: 37333603 PMCID: PMC10274577 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1172456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Since the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent measures of containment, multiple studies have been conducted aimed at assessing the impacts on people's psychophysical well-being; however, few studies have investigated the general population's perceptions, experiences, and effects by adopting a mixed-method approach. Methods A total of 855 Italian participants completed an online survey, conducted in the period following the first lockdown in Italy. Psychological well-being, perceived stress and COVID-19-related fears were assessed by standardized questionnaires (Psychological General Well-Being Index-Short version, Perceived Stress Scale 10, and Multidimensional Assessment of COVID-19-Related Fears). The process of sense-making of the experience during the lockdown period was also evaluated by means of an open-ended question. Results Participants reported a lower level of general well-being, and a higher level of both perceived stress and COVID-19-related fear during the lockdown period compared to the time of the survey (1 month after the resumption of activities). The thematic analysis of responses to the open-ended question revealed two factors and five clusters, which explain the thematic variance among the narratives: the first factor refers to the type of experience (emotional states and feelings vs. objective descriptions of daily activities), while the second concerns positive or negative connotations of the experiences reported. Conclusions This study explored the psychological impact of the first lockdown on people's well-being, and described the process of making sense of the experience during the lockdown 1 month after going back to previous habits. Results highlighted the effectiveness of the mixed-method approach for an in-depth and exhaustive investigation of people's psychological condition during and after the first lockdown.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Pietro Crescenzo
- Department of Education, Psychology and Communication, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | | | | | - Dario Cafagna
- Faculty of Psychology, eCampus University, Como, Italy
| | | | - Mario Pesce
- Faculty of Psychology, eCampus University, Como, Italy
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Borella F, Bertero L, Di Giovanni F, Witel G, Orlando G, Ricci AA, Pittaro A, Castellano I, Cassoni P. COVID-19 and Breast Cancer: Analysis of Surgical Management of a Large Referral Center during the 2020-2021 Pandemic Period. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:4767-4778. [PMID: 37232817 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30050359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has spread worldwide since December 2019 and was officially declared a pandemic in March 2020. Due to the rapid transmission and the high fatality rate, drastic emergency restrictions were issued, with a negative impact on routine clinical activities. In particular, in Italy, many authors have reported a reduction in the number of breast cancer diagnoses and critical problems in the management of patients who accessed the breast units during the dramatic first months of the pandemic. Our study aims to analyze the global impact of COVID-19 in the two years of the pandemic (2020-2021) on the surgical management of breast cancer by comparing them with the previous two years. METHODS In our retrospective study, we analyzed all cases of breast cancer diagnosed and surgically treated at the breast unit of "Città della Salute e della Scienza" in Turin, Italy, making a comparison between the 2018-2019 pre-pandemic period and the 2020-2021 pandemic period. RESULTS We included in our analysis 1331 breast cancer cases surgically treated from January 2018 to December 2021. A total of 726 patients were treated in the pre-pandemic years and 605 in the pandemic period (-121 cases, 9%). No significant differences were observed regarding diagnosis (screening vs. no screening) and timing between radiological diagnosis and surgery for both in situ and invasive tumors. There were no variations in the breast surgical approach (mastectomy vs. conservative surgery), while a reduction in axillary dissection compared to the sentinel lymph node in the pandemic period was observed (p-value < 0.001). Regarding the biological characteristics of breast cancers, we observed a greater number of grades 2-3 (p-value = 0.007), pT stage 3-4 breast cancer surgically treated without previous neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p-value = 0.03), and a reduction in luminal B tumors (p-value = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS Overall, we report a limited reduction in surgical activity for breast cancer treatment considering the entire pandemic period (2020-2021). These results suggest a prompt resumption of surgical activity similar to the pre-pandemic period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulvio Borella
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit 1, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Luca Bertero
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Fabrizia Di Giovanni
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Gianluca Witel
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Orlando
- Pathology Unit, Department of Oncology, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Alessia Andrea Ricci
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandra Pittaro
- Pathology Unit, Città della Salute e della Scienza University Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Isabella Castellano
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Paola Cassoni
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
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Petropoulou Z, Arkadopoulos N, Michalopoulos NV. Breast Cancer and COVID-19: Challenges in Surgical Management. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:5360. [PMID: 36358779 PMCID: PMC9653580 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The harsh healthcare reality imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in wide clinical practice alterations, postponements, and shortages, affecting both patients and caregivers. Breast-cancer management, from diagnosis to treatment and follow up, was a field that did not escape such changes, facing a challenging set of obstacles in order to maintain adequate cancer care services while diminishing viral spread among patients and personnel. In this review article, we discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on several aspects of breast-cancer management, and the subsequent modifications adopted by clinicians, scientific groups, and governments as a response to the novel conditions. Screening and diagnosis, as well as breast-cancer treatment paths-especially surgical interventions-were the most affected domains, while patients' psychological burden also emerged as a notable consequence. The aftermath of diagnostic and surgical delays is yet to be assessed, while the treatment alterations and the introduction of new therapeutic schemes might signify the opening of a novel era in breast-cancer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Petropoulou
- 4th Department of Surgery, Medical School, “Attikon” University Hospital, University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
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Losurdo A, Lisa AVE, Tomatis M, Ponti A, Montemezzi S, Bonzano E, Fortunato L. Highly specialized Breast Centers did not experience delay of care during COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: the Senonetwork experience. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2022; 196:87-95. [PMID: 36018455 PMCID: PMC9412793 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-022-06694-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Aim of the study The study aims to evaluate the performance of selected, high-volume, highly specialized, Italian Breast Centers at the time of COVID-19 pandemic (year 2020), compared to pre-pandemic time (year 2019), highlighting differences in terms of clinical presentation of breast cancer (BC) and therapeutic strategies. Methods Patients’ data were provided by the Senonetwork data warehouse Senonet. In order to examine changes in the surgical and oncological management of BC patients during different phases of COVID-19 pandemic, we took advantage of a selection quality indicators (QIs). We performed the analyses in two time-frames, from July to September (Jul-Sep) (2019 versus 2020) and from October to December (Oct-Dec) (2019 versus 2020). Results Our analysis did not show any statistically significant difference in terms of diagnosis, surgical, oncological and radiation therapy procedures between the two trimesters 2019 and 2020. Nevertheless, we observed statistically significant differences, favoring 2020, when analyzing time-to surgery and time-to radiotherapy. On the other hand, we observed a significant reduction of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and we did not recollect any data on a major use of neoadjuvant endocrine therapy. Conclusions In Italian Breast Centers, partners of Senonetwork, we could not observe any treatment delay or change in standard clinical practice for BC care during the 2020 pandemic year, compared to 2019 pre-pandemic year. This finding is in contrast with the globally reported decrease in the performance of the Italian Breast Centers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and has to be linked to the sharp selection of Senonetwork Breast Centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnese Losurdo
- UO of Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology and Hematology, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20090, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Vittorio Emanuele Lisa
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine BIOMETRA - Plastic Surgery Unit, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery School, University of Milan, Humanitas Research Hospital, IRCCS, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Mariano Tomatis
- AOU Città della Salute e Della Scienza'University Hospital, CPO Piemonte, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio Ponti
- AOU Città della Salute e Della Scienza'University Hospital, CPO Piemonte, Turin, Italy
| | - Stefania Montemezzi
- Department of Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bonzano
- Radiation Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Lucio Fortunato
- Breast Surgery Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera San Giovanni Addolorata, Rome, Italy
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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oncological disease extent at FDG PET/CT staging: the ONCOVIPET study. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2021; 49:1623-1629. [PMID: 34877609 PMCID: PMC8651274 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-021-05629-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
To investigate whether the COVID-19 pandemic and national lockdown had an impact on the extent of cancer disease at FDG PET/CT staging as surrogate marker. Methods Retrospective observational study including cancer patients submitted to FDG PET/CT staging from June 1 to October 31, 2020, and June 1 to October 31, 2019, respectively. Data regarding primary tumour, nodal (N) status and number of involved nodal stations, and presence and number of distant metastases (M) were collected. Each scan was classified in limited vs advanced status. Data were aggregated across the study population and tumour type. Bi-weekly frequencies of the observed events were analysed. Results Six hundred eleven patients were included (240 in 2019 vs 371 in 2020, respectively). A significant increase of advanced disease patients (rate 1.56, P < 0.001), N + or M + patients (rate 1.84 and 2.09, respectively, P < 0.001), and patients with a greater number of involved N stations or M (rate 2.01 and 2.06, respectively, P < 0.001) were found in 2020 compared with data of 2019. Analysis by tumour type showed a significant increase of advanced disease in lymphoma and lung cancer in 2020 compared with 2019 (P < 0.001). In addition, a significant increase of nodal involvement was found in lung, gastro-intestinal, and breast cancers, as well as in lymphoma patients (P < 0.02). A significant increase of distant metastases was found in lung cancers (P = 0.002). Conclusion Cancer patients with advanced disease at FDG PET/CT staging increased in 2020 compared with 2019, following the national lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 1.5-fold with a significant increase of patients with N or M involvement. Targeted health interventions are needed to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on patient outcome. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00259-021-05629-0.
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