Impact of COVID-19 on Breast Cancer Management
Author Information
Author(s): Dalda Yasin, Akbulut Sami, Kucukakcali Zeynep, Ogut Zeki, Dalda Ozlem, Alan Saadet, Isik Burak
Primary Institution: Inonu University Faculty of Medicine
Hypothesis
The study aims to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the treatment process and short-term outcomes of breast cancer patients.
Conclusion
The pandemic led to increased use of neoadjuvant therapy and radical surgery, while breast-conserving surgery rates and comorbidity rates decreased significantly.
Supporting Evidence
- Neoadjuvant therapy usage increased from 21.3% to 34.5% during the pandemic.
- Breast-conserving surgery rates decreased from 27.9% to 19.0% during the pandemic.
- The mortality rate in the Pre-COVID-19 group was significantly higher than in the COVID-19 Era group (7.1% vs. 2.3%).
- The time to report pathology results after surgery decreased during the pandemic (28 vs. 23 days, p < 0.001).
- Comorbidity rates decreased significantly from 45.0% in the Pre-COVID-19 group to 29.9% in the COVID-19 Era group.
Takeaway
The COVID-19 pandemic changed how breast cancer is treated, with more patients getting certain types of therapy but fewer getting surgeries that save the breast.
Methodology
This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 414 breast cancer patients who underwent surgery between March 2018 and June 2021, comparing pre-pandemic and pandemic periods.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from the retrospective nature of the study and the single-center design.
Limitations
The study is retrospective and single-center, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
The median age of participants was 50 years, with 99% female and 1% male.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI = 49–52
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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