TY  - JOUR
A1  - Speichinger, Fiona
A1  - Berg, Ann-Kathrin
A1  - Stoyanova, Ani
A1  - Lauscher, Johannes Christian
A1  - Kamphues, Carsten
A1  - Beyer, Katharina
A1  - Seifarth, Claudia
A1  - Slavova, Nadia
A1  - Schineis, Christian
T1  - Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with rectal cancer
T2  - Journal of Clinical Medicine
N2  - Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions have resulted in delayed diagnoses across various tumor entities, including rectal cancer. Our hypothesis was based on the expectation of a reduced number of primary operations due to higher tumor stages compared to the control group. 

Methods: In a single-center retrospective study conducted from 1 March 2018 to 1 March 2022, we analyzed 120 patients with an initial diagnosis of rectal cancer. Among them, 65 patients were part of the control group (pre-COVID-19), while 55 patients were included in the study group (during the COVID-19 pandemic). We compared tumor stages, treatment methods, and complications, presenting data as absolute numbers or mean values. 

Results: Fewer primary tumor resections during the COVID-19 pandemic (p = 0.010), as well as a significantly lower overall number of tumor resections (p = 0.025) were seen compared to the control group. Twenty percent of patients in the COVID-19 group received their diagnosis during lockdown periods. These patients presented significantly higher tumor stages (T4b: 27.3% vs. 6.2%, p = 0.025) compared to the control group prior to the pandemic. In addition, more patients with angiolymphatic invasion (ALI) were identified in the COVID-19 group following neoadjuvant treatment compared to the control group (p = 0.027). No differences were noted between the groups regarding complications, stoma placement, or conversion rates. 

Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic, particularly during lockdown, appears to have contributed to delayed diagnoses, resulting in higher tumor stages and a decreased number of surgeries. The quality of rectal cancer treatment can be maintained under pandemic conditions.
Y1  - 2024
UR  - https://opus.bibliothek.uni-augsburg.de/opus4/frontdoor/index/index/docId/123715
UR  - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:bvb:384-opus4-1237159
SN  - 2077-0383
VL  - 13
IS  - 12
SP  - 3568
PB  - MDPI AG
ER  -