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Fancellu A, Veneroni S, Santoru A, Meloni A, Sanna V, Ginesu GC, Deiana G, Paliogiannis P, Ninniri C, Perra T, Porcu A. How the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the colorectal cancer screening in Italy: A minireview. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2022; 14:1490-1498. [PMID: 36160740 PMCID: PMC9412930 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v14.i8.1490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused detrimental effects on many aspects of healthcare practice. Screening programs for the commonest malignancies, namely colorectal cancer (CRC), breast cancer and cervical cancer have been discontinued or interrupted since the beginning of restriction measures aimed to limit transmission of the new coronavirus infection. Robust evidence exists in favour of the role of screening campaigns in reducing mortality from CRC. In fact, the majority of pre-malignant lesions of the colon and rectum can be diagnosed with colonoscopy and treated by endoscopic or surgical resection. Besides, colonoscopy screening allows the diagnosis of CRCs in their pre-clinical stage. Italy was one of the first European countries where a high level of COVID-19 infections and deaths was observed, and one of the first where lockdowns and strict measures were adopted to reduce the risk of COVID-19 diffusion among the population. A systematic review of the literature was performed, including the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Reference Citation Analysis databases, with the aim of critically evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CRC screening in Italy. We found that reduction of CRC screening activity surpassed 50% in most endoscopic units, with almost 600000 fewer CRC screening exams conducted in the first 5 mo of 2020 vs the same period of 2019. While the consequences of the discontinuation of endoscopy screening for the prognosis and mortality of CRC will be evident in the next few years, recent data confirm that CRC is currently treated at a more advanced stage than in the pre-COVID-19 era. Since delays in CRC prevention and early diagnosis may translate to increased CRC-specific mortality, world healthcare systems should adopt strategies to maintain the regularity of CRC screening during subsequent peaks of the COVID-19 pandemic, or future events that might hamper screening programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Fancellu
- Department of Medical, Surgical, and Experiemental Sciences, Unit of General Surgery 2-Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Simone Veneroni
- Department of Medical, Surgical, and Experiemental Sciences, Unit of General Surgery 2-Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Antonio Santoru
- Department of Medical, Surgical, and Experiemental Sciences, Unit of General Surgery 2-Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Arianna Meloni
- Department of Medical, Surgical, and Experiemental Sciences, Unit of General Surgery 2-Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | | | - Giorgio C Ginesu
- Department of Medical, Surgical, and Experiemental Sciences, Unit of General Surgery 2-Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Giulia Deiana
- Department of Medical, Surgical, and Experiemental Sciences, Unit of General Surgery 2-Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Panagiotis Paliogiannis
- Department of Medical, Surgical, and Experimental Sciences. Unit of Pathology, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Chiara Ninniri
- Department of Medical, Surgical, and Experiemental Sciences, Unit of General Surgery 2-Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Teresa Perra
- Department of Medical, Surgical, and Experiemental Sciences, Unit of General Surgery 2-Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Alberto Porcu
- Department of Medical, Surgical, and Experiemental Sciences, Unit of General Surgery 2-Clinica Chirurgica, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
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Okuyan GÇ, Yıldırım M. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the outcomes of surgically treated colorectal diseases: a retrospective cohort study. Ann Surg Treat Res 2022; 103:104-111. [PMID: 36017140 PMCID: PMC9365639 DOI: 10.4174/astr.2022.103.2.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on elective and emergent colorectal surgical practice. Methods The population of this retrospective observational study consisted of all consecutive patients who underwent emergent or elective colorectal surgery between March 2019 and March 2021. The patients were divided into 2 groups: the prepandemic group who were treated between March 2019 and March 10, 2020, and the pandemic group who were treated between March 11, 2020 and March 2021. The rate of emergent operations was the primary outcome. The groups were compared based on the frequency of operations, distribution of tumoral features in malignant cases, and 90th-day mortality rates. Results There were 180 and 121 patients in the prepandemic and pandemic groups, respectively. There were significantly more patients of the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status stage IV with comorbidity in the pandemic group than in the prepandemic group (P = 0.016 and P < 0.001, respectively). The rate of emergent operations was significantly higher in the pandemic group than in the prepandemic group (49.6% vs. 26.7%, P < 0.001). There were significantly more patients who received non-resectional surgery in the pandemic group than in the prepandemic group (P = 0.002). Additionally, there were significantly more patients without resection among patients with a defunctioning stoma (P = 0.001). The length of hospital stay (LoS) was significantly shorter in the pandemic group than in the prepandemic group (P = 0.039). On the other hand, the mortality rate was significantly higher in the pandemic group than in the prepandemic group (15.7% vs. 6.1%, P = 0.011). Conclusion The study findings suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected colorectal surgical practices, resulting in more frequent emergent operations, non-resectional procedures with stoma formation, and higher mortality rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gülten Çiçek Okuyan
- Department of General Surgery, Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Melih Yıldırım
- Department of General Surgery, Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
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Colorectal Surgery in the COVID-19 Era: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051229. [PMID: 35267537 PMCID: PMC8909364 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: To determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the management of colorectal cancer patients requiring surgery and to examine whether the restructuring of healthcare systems led to cancer stage upshifting or adverse treatment outcomes; (2) Methods: A systematic literature search of the MedLine, Scopus, Web of Science, and CNKI databases was performed (PROSPERO ID: CRD42021288432). Data were summarized as odds ratios (OR) or weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs); (3) Results: Ten studies were examined, including 26,808 patients. The number of patients presenting with metastases during the pandemic was significantly increased (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.02−2.67, p = 0.04), with no differences regarding the extent of the primary tumor (T) and nodal (N) status. Patients were more likely to have undergone neoadjuvant therapy (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.09−1.37, p < 0.001), while emergency presentations (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.07−2.84, p = 0.03) and palliative surgeries (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.13−3.36, p = 0.02) were more frequent during the pandemic. There was no significant difference recorded in terms of postoperative morbidity; (4) Conclusions: Patients during the pandemic were more likely to undergo palliative interventions or receive neoadjuvant treatment.
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Donckier V, Estache A, Liberale G, Goldman M. Prioritization of Surgery in Cancer Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons From a Failed Balancing Act. ANNALS OF SURGERY OPEN 2021; 2:e108. [PMID: 37637874 PMCID: PMC10455138 DOI: 10.1097/as9.0000000000000108] [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: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The prioritization of surgical oncology over other elective interventions during COVID-19 has failed to preserve the quality of care in oncology and will likely lead to an increase of cancer-related mortality in the coming years. We propose five components for systems to improve the organization of surgical oncology during future crises, namely (1) a multidisciplinary governance structure employing predictive models and risk/benefit evaluations, (2) predefined quality objectives based on measurable markers (regularly reviewed and adapted), (3) temporary flexibility in therapeutic algorithms and authorization procedures (with associated safeguards), (4) systems to ensure access to transparent, apolitical information, and (5) explicit, dedicated logistical surgical capacities to optimize coordination and resource allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Donckier
- From the Department of Oncological Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Antonio Estache
- European Center for Advanced Research in Economics and Statistics (ECARES), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gabriel Liberale
- From the Department of Oncological Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Michel Goldman
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Innovation in healthcare, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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