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Wall J, Gadsby‐Davis K, Mistry K, Levell NJ, Venables ZC. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma incidence: A systematic review and meta-analysis. SKIN HEALTH AND DISEASE 2024; 4:e405. [PMID: 39104659 PMCID: PMC11297431 DOI: 10.1002/ski2.405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Background Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common cancer globally in white ethinicity populations, and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common subtype. The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted public and private healthcare systems. Many studies have reported reduced cancer diagnoses during the pandemic. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global cSCC and NMSC incidence is poorly reported. Objectives The aim was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global cSCC and NMSC incidence rates, compared with 2019 incidence rates. Two primary outcome measures were used: crude incidence rate ratios (CIRR) and age-standardised incidence rate ratios (ASIRR). Methods A structured search was undertaken on 23 March 2023 using grey literature and four electronic databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE and Web of Science. Studies published before January 2020 were excluded. A quality assessment was undertaken using A. Lomas quality assessment tool. CIRR outcomes were synthesised in a meta-analysis, while ASIRR outcomes were narratively synthesised. Results Fourteen cancer registries were included, capturing data from 13 countries across Europe. Variation was observed in NMSC and cSCC incidence across the cancer registries. Pooled cSCC crude incidence rates in 2020 were equal to crude incidence rates in 2019 (cSCC-CIRR 1.00 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94-1.06). In 2021, the pooled result indicated a non-significant 8% increase in cSCC crude incidence rates, compared with 2019 (cSCC-CIRR 1.08 (95% CI 0.98-1.19). Significant reductions were reported in NMSC incidence across all meta-analyses in 2020 and 2021 compared with 2019. Heterogeneity was observed across most pooled estimates (I 2>75%). Conclusion There was a lack of high quality data on cSCC incidence rates recorded during the pandemic outside of Europe. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in no significant changes in cSCC incidence across Europe. By contrast, NMSC incidence fell across Europe following the pandemic. Significant reductions in pooled NMSC incidence rates may reflect a delay in basal cell carcinoma presentation, diagnosis and treatment. Although annual incidence rates for cSCC were not affected by the pandemic, delays in treatment may still have occurred, which may result in poorer outcomes yet to be fully understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Wall
- University of East AngliaNorwich Medical SchoolNorwichUK
| | | | - Khaylen Mistry
- University of East AngliaNorwich Medical SchoolNorwichUK
- DermatologyNorfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustNorwichUK
| | - Nick J. Levell
- University of East AngliaNorwich Medical SchoolNorwichUK
- DermatologyNorfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustNorwichUK
| | - Zoe C. Venables
- University of East AngliaNorwich Medical SchoolNorwichUK
- DermatologyNorfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustNorwichUK
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Ríos J, Sapena V, Mariño Z, Bruix J, Forns X, Morros R, Reig M, Torres F, Pontes C. Incidence of Liver and Non-liver Cancers After Hepatitis C Virus Eradication: A Population-Based Cohort Study. Drugs Real World Outcomes 2024:10.1007/s40801-024-00437-y. [PMID: 38874848 DOI: 10.1007/s40801-024-00437-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) offer a high rate of hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication. However, concerns on the risk of cancer after HCV eradication remain. Our study aimed at quantifying the incidence of cancer in patients treated with anti-HCV therapies in Catalonia (Spain) and their matched controls. METHODS This was a population-based study using real-world data from the public healthcare system of Catalonia between 2012 and 2016. Propensity score matching was performed in patients with HCV infection treated with interferon-based therapy (IFN), sequential IFN and DAA (IFN+DAA), and DAA only (DAA) with concurrent controls. We estimated the annual incidence of overall cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and non-liver cancer of HCV-treated patients and their corresponding rate ratios. RESULTS The study included 11,656 HCV-treated patients and 49,545 controls. We found statistically significant increases in the rate of overall cancer for IFN+DAA-treated (rate ratio [RR] 1.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27-2.46) and DAA-treated patients (RR 1.90, 95% CI 1.66-2.19) and in the rate of HCC for IFN-treated (RR 1.50, 95% CI 1.02-2.22), IFN+DAA-treated (RR 3.89, 95% CI 2.26-6.69), and DAA-treated patients (RR 6.45, 95% CI 4.90-8.49) compared with their corresponding controls. Moreover, DAA-treated patients with cirrhosis showed an increased rate of overall cancer versus those without cirrhosis (RR 1.92, 95% CI 1.51-2.44). CONCLUSIONS Results showed that overall cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma incidence in Catalonia was significantly higher among HCV-treated patients compared with matched non-HCV-infected controls, and risks were higher in patients with cirrhosis. An increased awareness of the potential occurrence of uncommon malignant events and monitoring after HCV eradication therapy may benefit patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Ríos
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Clinic and Medical Statistics Core Facility, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Biostatistics Unit, Medical School, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus, Cerdanyola, 08193, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Víctor Sapena
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital Clinic and Medical Statistics Core Facility, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERHED), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Zoe Mariño
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERHED), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Bruix
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERHED), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Forns
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERHED), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosa Morros
- Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l'Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Reig
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERHED), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERHED), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ferran Torres
- Biostatistics Unit, Medical School, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus, Cerdanyola, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Caridad Pontes
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
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Robles C, Monfil L, Ibáñez R, Roura E, Font R, Peremiquel-Trillas P, Brotons M, Martínez-Bueno C, de Sanjosé S, Espinàs JA, Bruni L. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cervical cancer screening participation, abnormal cytology prevalence and screening interval in Catalonia. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1338859. [PMID: 38873256 PMCID: PMC11171128 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1338859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic led to a national lockdown and the interruption of all cancer preventive services, including cervical cancer screening. We aimed to assess the COVID-19 pandemic impact on opportunistic screening participation, abnormal cytology (ASCUS+) prevalence and screening interval in 2020 and 2021 within the Public Health System of Catalonia, Spain. Methods Individual data on cytology and HPV testing of women aged 25-65 from 2014 to 2021 were retrieved from the Information System for Primary Care Services (SISAP). Time-series regression models were used to estimate expected screening participation and abnormal cytology prevalence in 2020 and 2021. The impact was determined by comparing observed and expected values (ratios). Additionally, changes in screening interval trends between 2014 and 2021 were assessed by fitting a Piecewise linear regression model. Results Cervical cancer screening participation decreased by 38.8% and 2.2% in 2020 and 2021, respectively, with the most significant impact on participation (-96.1%) occurring in April 2020. Among older women, participation was lower, and it took longer to recover. Abnormal cytology prevalence was 1.4 times higher than expected in 2020 and 2021, with variations by age (range=1.1-1.5). From June 2020 onwards, the screening interval trend significantly changed from an increase of 0.59 to 3.57 months per year, resulting in a median time of 48 months by December 2021. Conclusions During the pandemic, fewer women have participated in cervical cancer screening, abnormal cytology prevalence has increased, and the screening interval is more prolonged than before. The potential cervical cancer lifetime risk implications highlight the need for organized HPV-based screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Robles
- Unit of Infections and Cancer – Information and Interventions, Cancer Epidemiology Research Programme, Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO), Infections and Cancer Group, Epidemiology, Public Health, Cancer Prevention and Palliative Care Program, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Monfil
- Unit of Infections and Cancer – Information and Interventions, Cancer Epidemiology Research Programme, Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO), Infections and Cancer Group, Epidemiology, Public Health, Cancer Prevention and Palliative Care Program, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Ibáñez
- Unit of Infections and Cancer – Information and Interventions, Cancer Epidemiology Research Programme, Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO), Infections and Cancer Group, Epidemiology, Public Health, Cancer Prevention and Palliative Care Program, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP - CB06/02/0073), Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Roura
- Unit of Infections and Cancer – Information and Interventions, Cancer Epidemiology Research Programme, Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO), Infections and Cancer Group, Epidemiology, Public Health, Cancer Prevention and Palliative Care Program, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP - CB06/02/0073), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rebeca Font
- Catalan Cancer Strategy, Department of Health, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Paula Peremiquel-Trillas
- Unit of Infections and Cancer – Information and Interventions, Cancer Epidemiology Research Programme, Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO), Infections and Cancer Group, Epidemiology, Public Health, Cancer Prevention and Palliative Care Program, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP - CB06/02/0073), Madrid, Spain
- University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Brotons
- Unit of Infections and Cancer – Information and Interventions, Cancer Epidemiology Research Programme, Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO), Infections and Cancer Group, Epidemiology, Public Health, Cancer Prevention and Palliative Care Program, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP - CB06/02/0073), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Martínez-Bueno
- University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Atenció a la Salut Sexual i Reproductiva (ASSIR) Catalunya, Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain
- Grup de Recerca en Salut Sexual i Reproductiva (GRASSIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia de Sanjosé
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, United States
- Institut de Salut Global (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Laia Bruni
- Unit of Infections and Cancer – Information and Interventions, Cancer Epidemiology Research Programme, Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO), Infections and Cancer Group, Epidemiology, Public Health, Cancer Prevention and Palliative Care Program, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP - CB06/02/0073), Madrid, Spain
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Apostu AP, Vesa ȘC, Frățilă S, Iancu G, Bejinariu N, Muntean M, Șenilă SC, Baba OA, Secășan CP, Ungureanu L. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis and prognosis of melanoma 2 years after the pandemic in two Romanian counties. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1328488. [PMID: 38323030 PMCID: PMC10844525 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1328488] [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: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the healthcare system and negatively affected the diagnosis and management of melanoma worldwide. The purpose of this study is to investigate the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis and prognosis of melanoma. Materials and methods This retrospective cohort study included histopathologically confirmed melanoma cases from March 2019 to February 2023 in Cluj and Bihor counties. Data from the post-COVID-19 period (March 2021 to February 2023) were compared to the pre-COVID-19 period (March 2019 to February 2020) and the COVID-19 period (March 2020 to February 2021). Patient characteristics, monthly diagnostics, histological subtypes, and key histological features were analyzed using statistical tests. Results The number of melanoma cases diagnosed annually decreased by 31.37 and 23.75% in the first and second post-pandemic years, respectively, compared to pre-pandemic numbers. Diagnostic rates also decreased by 14.9 and 5.4% in the first and second post-pandemic years, respectively, compared to the pandemic period. Prognostic factors worsened in the post-pandemic period, with higher Breslow index and mitotic rate, and increased ulceration and thick melanomas compared to the pre-pandemic period. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic had a long-lasting impact on the diagnosis of melanoma in Romania, resulting in advanced stages and unfavorable prognostic factors. Larger global studies are needed to comprehensively understand the pandemic's long-term effects on the diagnosis of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adina Patricia Apostu
- Department of Dermatology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Ștefan Cristian Vesa
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Simona Frățilă
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania
- Clinical Emergency County Hospital, Oradea, Romania
| | - Gabriela Iancu
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, Sibiu, Romania
- Clinic of Dermatology, County Emergency Hospital Sibiu, Sibiu, Romania
| | - Nona Bejinariu
- Santomar Oncodiagnostic Laboratory, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Maximilian Muntean
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, “Prof Dr. I. Chiricuță” Institute of Oncology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Simona C. Șenilă
- Department of Dermatology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Dermatology, Emergency County Hospital, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | | | - Loredana Ungureanu
- Department of Dermatology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Dermatology, Emergency County Hospital, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Navarro-Sabate A, Font R, Martínez-Soler F, Solà J, Tortosa A, Ribes J, Benito-Aracil L, Espinas JA, Borras JM. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Adherence to Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer in Catalonia (Spain). Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:426. [PMID: 38275867 PMCID: PMC10814820 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose. To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adherence to oral endocrine therapy in patients diagnosed with breast cancer in the public healthcare system in Catalonia (Spain). Methods. Retrospective cohort study in patients starting endocrine therapy from 2017 to 2021. Adherence was measured during the first year of treatment, and the impact of the pandemic was calculated according to the calendar year and whether the first year of treatment included the peak period of the pandemic in our setting (March-September 2020). Analyses were performed using a chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression, with results stratified by year, age group, and drug type. Results. Mean overall adherence during the first year of treatment was 89.6% from 2017 to 2021. In contrast, the patients who started treatment in 2019 and 2020 and whose treatment included the peak pandemic period presented an adherence of 87.0% and 86.5%, respectively. Young age and tamoxifen or combination therapy were predictors of low adherence. An increase in neoadjuvant therapy was also observed in 2020. Conclusions. The COVID-19 pandemic had only a modest impact on adherence to endocrine therapy (≈3%), despite the enormous disruptions for patients, the healthcare system in general, and cancer care in particular that were occurring in that period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurea Navarro-Sabate
- Fundamental Care and Clinical Nursing Department, Nursing Faculty, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain; (A.N.-S.); (F.M.-S.); (A.T.); (L.B.-A.)
| | - Rebeca Font
- Catalan Cancer Plan, Department of Health, 08908 Barcelona, Spain; (R.F.); (J.R.); (J.A.E.)
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fina Martínez-Soler
- Fundamental Care and Clinical Nursing Department, Nursing Faculty, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain; (A.N.-S.); (F.M.-S.); (A.T.); (L.B.-A.)
| | - Judit Solà
- Catalan Cancer Plan, Department of Health, 08908 Barcelona, Spain; (R.F.); (J.R.); (J.A.E.)
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Avelina Tortosa
- Fundamental Care and Clinical Nursing Department, Nursing Faculty, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain; (A.N.-S.); (F.M.-S.); (A.T.); (L.B.-A.)
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josepa Ribes
- Catalan Cancer Plan, Department of Health, 08908 Barcelona, Spain; (R.F.); (J.R.); (J.A.E.)
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- Clinical Sciences Department, University of Barcelona, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Llúcia Benito-Aracil
- Fundamental Care and Clinical Nursing Department, Nursing Faculty, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain; (A.N.-S.); (F.M.-S.); (A.T.); (L.B.-A.)
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Alfons Espinas
- Catalan Cancer Plan, Department of Health, 08908 Barcelona, Spain; (R.F.); (J.R.); (J.A.E.)
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- Clinical Sciences Department, University of Barcelona, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Maria Borras
- Catalan Cancer Plan, Department of Health, 08908 Barcelona, Spain; (R.F.); (J.R.); (J.A.E.)
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- Clinical Sciences Department, University of Barcelona, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
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Trojanowski M, Radomyski P, Kycler W, Michalek IM. Decrease in the number of new cancer diagnoses during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic - cohort study of 3.5 million individuals in western Poland. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1230289. [PMID: 38179170 PMCID: PMC10765942 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1230289] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has considerably affected healthcare systems worldwide and is expected to influence cancer incidence, mortality, stage at diagnosis, and survival. This study aimed to assess COVID-19-related changes in cancer incidence observed in 2020 in the Greater Poland region. Materials and methods Data from the Greater Poland Cancer Registry on cancer patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2020 were analysed. To quantify the change in the number of incident cancer cases during the COVID-19 pandemic, we calculated the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) and the incidence rate difference (IRD) to assume the pandemic-attributable gap in cancer incidence. Results In 2020, in Greater Poland, the expected number of new cancer cases was 18 154 (9 226 among males and 8 927 among females), while the observed number was 14 770 (7 336 among males and 7 434 among females). The registered number of cancer cases decreased in 2020 by 20% (SIR 0·80, 95% CI 0·78 to 0·81) and 17% (SIR 0·83, 95% CI 0·81 to 0·85) in males and females, respectively. Among men, the most significant difference was reported for myeloma (SIR 0·59, 95% CI 0·45 to 0·77), among women for bone cancer (SIR 0·47, 95% CI 0·20 to 0·93). In females the observed incidence was higher than expected for cancer of an unspecified site (SIR 1·19, 95% CI 1·01 to 1·38). In our study, the decrease in new cancer cases was greater in males than in females. Discussion The observed incidence was affected in most cancer sites, with the most significant deviation from the expected number in the case of myeloma. An increase in the observed incidence was reported only in women diagnosed with cancer of an unspecified site, which might reflect shortages in access to oncological diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Trojanowski
- Greater Poland Cancer Registry, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
| | - Piotr Radomyski
- Radiology Department, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
- Electroradiology Department, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Witold Kycler
- Gastrointestinal Surgical Department, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
| | - Irmina Maria Michalek
- Cancer Epidemiology and Primary Prevention Department, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
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Díaz-Miguel M, Martos Utande A, Trenchs Sainz de la Maza V. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic in oncological debut at Pediatric Emergency Department. Med Clin (Barc) 2023; 161:450-451. [PMID: 37574413 DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2023.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Díaz-Miguel
- Área de Urgencias, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, España.
| | | | - Victoria Trenchs Sainz de la Maza
- Área de Urgencias, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, España; Influencia del entorno en el bienestar del niño y del adolescente, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, España
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Torné-Cachot J, Simonetti AF, Lorenzo-Carrasco V, Gálvez-Barrón C. Utility of a quick diagnostic unit during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic for the diagnosis of cancer. Rev Clin Esp 2023; 223:470-478. [PMID: 37451541 DOI: 10.1016/j.rceng.2023.07.003] [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: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To analyse changes in health care activity, time of referral and diagnosis intervals and the incidence of cancer during the first two years of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in a quick diagnosis unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective observational study was carried out during the prepandemic year (March 1, 2019, to February 29, 2020) and the first two years of the pandemic (March 1, 2020, to February 28, 2022). Demographic and clinical variables, the first visit interval, the diagnosis interval and the first visit-diagnosis interval were evaluated and compared. RESULTS During the first pandemic wave, there was a reduction in referrals (-32.6%), which then increased 8.1% and 17.7% from the second wave until the end of the first pandemic year and the second pandemic year, respectively. An increase in referrals to primary care and a decrease in emergencies were identified. The increase in cancer diagnoses of 2.7% and 15.7% in the two years of the pandemic was proportional to the increase in referrals. No changes were observed in benign processes or in cancer locations and stages. The first visit interval was higher for benign diseases (p<0.0001). A prolongation of the diagnosis interval was observed in cancer patients, although during the three years of the study the median was <15 days. CONCLUSIONS The impact of the pandemic affected the length of intervals and the origins of referrals. The quick diagnosis units constitutes and urgent complementary cancer diagnostic route with a high diagnosis yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Torné-Cachot
- Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Sant Camil. Consorci Sanitari Alt Penedès-Garraf. Sant Pere de Ribes, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - A F Simonetti
- Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Sant Camil. Consorci Sanitari Alt Penedès-Garraf. Sant Pere de Ribes, Barcelona, Spain
| | - V Lorenzo-Carrasco
- Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Sant Camil. Consorci Sanitari Alt Penedès-Garraf. Sant Pere de Ribes, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Gálvez-Barrón
- Área de Investigación, Consorci Sanitari Alt Penedès-Garraf. San Pere de Ribes, Barcelona, Spain
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Voigtländer S, Hakimhashemi A, Grundmann N, Radespiel-Tröger M, Inwald EC, Ortmann O, Gerken M, Klug SJ, Klinkhammer-Schalke M, Meyer M, Müller-Nordhorn J. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on reported cancer diagnoses in Bavaria, Germany. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:7493-7503. [PMID: 36964405 PMCID: PMC10038367 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-04707-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of our study was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on reported cancer cases in Bavaria, Germany, by comparing pre-pandemic (March 2019 to February 2020) and pandemic period (March 2020 to February 2021). METHODS Data on incident cases were retrieved from the Bavarian Cancer Registry (until 22nd April 2022). We included patients with malignant and in situ neoplasms reported by pathology departments with consistent reporting. We calculated the number of incident cases during the COVID-19 pandemic and the pre-pandemic period with 95% confidence intervals (CI) with Bonferroni correction (α = 0.0018) based on a Poisson approach. We stratified for malignancy (malignant, in situ), tumor site, and month of year. RESULTS Data was available for 30 out of 58 pathology departments (51.7%) from Bavaria. Incident malignant neoplasms dropped from 42,857 cases in the pre-pandemic period to 39,980 cases in the pandemic period (- 6.7%; 95% CI - 8.7%, - 4.7%). Reductions were higher for colon, rectum, skin/melanoma as well as liver (> 10.0% reduction) and less for breast cancer (4.9% reduction). No case reductions were observed for pancreas, esophagus, ovary, and cervix. Percent changes were largest for April 2020 (- 20.9%; 95% CI - 24.7%, - 16.8%) and January 2021 (- 25.2%; 95% CI - 28.8%, - 21.5%) compared to the previous year. Declines tended to be larger for in situ compared to malignant neoplasms. CONCLUSION Detection and diagnosis of cancer were substantially reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Potential effects, e.g. a stage shift of tumors or an increase of cancer mortality, need to be monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Voigtländer
- Bavarian Cancer Registry, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Schweinauer Hauptstraße 80, 90441 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Amir Hakimhashemi
- Bavarian Cancer Registry, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Schweinauer Hauptstraße 80, 90441 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Nina Grundmann
- Bavarian Cancer Registry, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Schweinauer Hauptstraße 80, 90441 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Martin Radespiel-Tröger
- Bavarian Cancer Registry, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Schweinauer Hauptstraße 80, 90441 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth C. Inwald
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center, Landshuter Straße 65, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Olaf Ortmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center, Landshuter Straße 65, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Gerken
- Institute for Quality Assurance and Health Services Research, University of Regensburg, Am BioPark 9, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie J. Klug
- Chair of Epidemiology, Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 56, 80992 Munich, Germany
| | - Monika Klinkhammer-Schalke
- Institute for Quality Assurance and Health Services Research, University of Regensburg, Am BioPark 9, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martin Meyer
- Bavarian Cancer Registry, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Schweinauer Hauptstraße 80, 90441 Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Jacqueline Müller-Nordhorn
- Bavarian Cancer Registry, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Schweinauer Hauptstraße 80, 90441 Nuremberg, Germany
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Greene GJ, Thomson CS, Donnelly D, Chung D, Bhatti L, Gavin AT, Lawler M, Huws DW, Rolles MJ, Bennée F, Morrison DS. Whole-population trends in pathology-confirmed cancer incidence in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A retrospective observational study. Cancer Epidemiol 2023; 84:102367. [PMID: 37119604 PMCID: PMC10121133 DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2023.102367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 epidemic interrupted normal cancer diagnosis procedures. Population-based cancer registries report incidence at least 18 months after it happens. Our goal was to make more timely estimates by using pathologically confirmed cancers (PDC) as a proxy for incidence. We compared the 2020 and 2021 PDC with the 2019 pre-pandemic baseline in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland (NI). METHODS Numbers of female breast (ICD-10 C50), lung (C33-34), colorectal (C18-20), gynaecological (C51-58), prostate (C61), head and neck (C00-C14, C30-32), upper gastro-intestinal (C15-16), urological (C64-68), malignant melanoma (C43), and non-melanoma skin (NMSC) (C44) cancers were counted. Multiple pairwise comparisons generated incidence rate ratios (IRR). RESULTS Data were accessible within 5 months of the pathological diagnosis date. Between 2019 and 2020, the number of pathologically confirmed malignancies (excluding NMSC) decreased by 7315 (14.1 %). Scotland experienced early monthly declines of up to 64 % (colorectal cancers, April 2020 versus April 2019). Wales experienced the greatest overall change in 2020, but Northern Ireland experienced the quickest recovery. The pandemic's effects varied by cancer type, with no significant change in lung cancer diagnoses in Wales in 2020 (IRR 0.97 (95 % CI 0.90-1.05)), followed by an increase in 2021 (IRR 1.11 (1.03-1.20). CONCLUSION PDC are useful in reporting cancer incidence quicker than cancer registrations. Temporal and geographical differences between participating countries mirrored differences in responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating face validity and the potential for quick cancer diagnosis assessment. To verify their sensitivity and specificity against the gold standard of cancer registrations, however, additional research is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giles J Greene
- Welsh Cancer Intelligence & Surveillance Unit, Public Health Wales Knowledge Directorate, Floor 5, Capital Quarter 2, Tyndall Street, Cardiff CF10 4BZ, UK.
| | - Catherine S Thomson
- Scottish Cancer Registry, Public Health Scotland, Edinburgh, Gyle Square, 1 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 9EB, UK
| | - David Donnelly
- Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queens University Belfast, Belfast UK
| | - David Chung
- Welsh Cancer Intelligence & Surveillance Unit, Public Health Wales Knowledge Directorate, Floor 5, Capital Quarter 2, Tyndall Street, Cardiff CF10 4BZ, UK
| | - Lesley Bhatti
- Scottish Cancer Registry, Public Health Scotland, Edinburgh, Gyle Square, 1 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 9EB, UK
| | - Anna T Gavin
- Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queens University Belfast, Belfast UK
| | - Mark Lawler
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queens University Belfast, Belfast UK; DATA-CAN, the UK's Health Data Research Hub for Cancer, UK
| | - Dyfed Wyn Huws
- Welsh Cancer Intelligence & Surveillance Unit, Public Health Wales Knowledge Directorate, Floor 5, Capital Quarter 2, Tyndall Street, Cardiff CF10 4BZ, UK
| | - Martin J Rolles
- South West Wales Cancer Centre, Swansea Bay University Health Board, Swansea SA2 8QA, UK
| | - Felicity Bennée
- Welsh Cancer Intelligence & Surveillance Unit, Public Health Wales Knowledge Directorate, Floor 5, Capital Quarter 2, Tyndall Street, Cardiff CF10 4BZ, UK
| | - David S Morrison
- Scottish Cancer Registry, Public Health Scotland, Edinburgh, Gyle Square, 1 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 9EB, UK
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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Diagnosis in Madrid (Spain) Based on the RTMAD Tumor Registry (2019–2021). Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061753. [PMID: 36980640 PMCID: PMC10046347 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a significant disruption to cancer diagnosis, treatment and prevention worldwide that could have serious consequences in the near future. We intend to evaluate the weight of this backlog on a community-wide scale in Madrid during the period 2020–2021, and whether a stage shift towards the advanced stage has occurred. Cancer diagnoses in the Madrid tumor registry (RTMAD) from 2019–2021 were evaluated. Absolute and percentage differences in annual volume and observed-to-expected (O/E) volume ratios were calculated. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the O/E ratio. The SIR for 2020–2021 compared to 2019 was 94.5% (95% CI 93.8–95.3), with unequal gender-specific cancer diagnosis recovery (88.5% for males and 102.1% for females). Most cancer types were underdiagnosed in 2020. The tendency worsened in 2021 for colorectal and prostate cancers (87.8%), but lung cancer recovered (102.1%) and breast cancer was over-diagnosed (114.4%) compared with reference pre-COVID-19 data. These changes have modified the ranking of the most frequent malignancies diagnosed in Madrid. Breast cancer has overtaken colorectal and prostate cancers, displaced to second and third position, respectively. Not only was colorectal cancer diagnosis affected more as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic but diagnosis of this malignancy at the advance stage also increased by 3.6% in 2020 and 4.2% in 2021 compared to the reference period of 2019. In summary, there is a large volume of undetected cancer in Madrid caused by the reduced access to care secondary to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially regarding colorectal and prostate cancer. Strategies are needed to recover the backlog of diagnoses and effectively treat these cases in the future and solve the negative impact that will be caused by the diagnostic delay. Analyzing the impact of new diagnoses suffered by each different malignancy and their recovery will help to understand how the future allocation of resources should look.
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Impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on cancer burden and cancer care in Slovenia: a follow-up study. Radiol Oncol 2022; 56:488-500. [PMID: 36503711 PMCID: PMC9784361 DOI: 10.2478/raon-2022-0050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Slovenia, cancer care services were exempt from government decrees for COVID-19 containment. Nevertheless, cancer control can be impacted also by access to other health services and changes in health-seeking behaviour. In this follow up study, we explored changes in cancer burden and cancer care beyond the first months after the onset of the COVID-19 epidemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analysed routinely collected data for the period January 2019 through July 2022 from three sources: (1) pathohistological and clinical practice cancer notifications from two major cancer centres in Ljubljana and Maribor (source: Slovenian Cancer Registry); (2) referrals issued for oncological services (source: e-referral system); and (3) outpatient appointments and diagnostic imaging performed (source: administrative data of the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana - IOL). Additionally, changes in certain clinical and demographic characteristics in patients diagnosed and treated during the epidemic were analysed using the Hospital-Based Cancer Registry of the IOL (period 2015-2021). RESULTS After a drop in referrals to follow-up cancer appointments in April 2020, in June-August 2020, there was an increase in referrals, but it did not make-up for the drop in the first wave; the numbers in 2021 and 2022 were even lower than 2020. Referrals to first cancer care appointments and genetic testing and counselling increased in 2021 compared to 2019 and in 2022 increased further by more than a quarter. First and follow-up outpatient appointments and cancer diagnostic imaging at the IOL dropped after the onset of the epidemic in March 2020 but were as high as expected according to 2019 baseline already in 2021. Some deficits remain for follow-up outpatients' appointments in surgical and radiotherapy departments. There were more CT, MRI and PET scans performed during the COVID-19 period than before. New cancer diagnoses dropped in all observed years 2020, 2021 and until July 2022 by 6%, 3% and 8%, respectively, varying substantially by cancer type. The largest drop was seen in the 50-64 age group (almost 14% in 2020 and 16% in 2021), while for patients older than 80 years, the numbers were above expected according to the 2015-2019 average (4% in 2020, 8% in 2021). CONCLUSIONS Our results show a varying effect of COVID-19 epidemic in Slovenia for different types of cancers and at different stages on the patient care pathway - it is probably a mixture of changes in health-seeking behaviour and systemic changes due to modifications in healthcare organisation on account of COVID-19. A general drop in new cancer cases reflects disruptions in the pre-diagnostic phase and could have profound long-term consequences on cancer burden indicators.
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