The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Follow-Up and Management of Cancer Patients
Received Date : 20 Apr 2021
Accepted Date : 05 Sep 2021
Available Online : 17 Sep 2021
Melek KARAKURT ERYILMAZa, Mustafa KARAAĞAÇa, Mehmet Zahid KOÇAKa,
Mustafa KORKMAZa, Muzaffer UĞRAKLIa, Engin HENDEMa, Aykut DEMİRKIRANa,
Muhammed Muhiddin ERa, Dilek ÇAĞLAYANa, Murat ARAZa, Hakan Şat BOZCUKb,
Mehmet ARTAÇa
aDepartment of Medical Oncology, Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Faculty of Medicine, Konya, TURKEY
bClinic of Medical Oncology, Medical Park Hospital, Antalya, TURKEY
Doi: 10.37047/jos.2021-83957 - Article's Language: EN
J Oncol Sci. 2021;7(3):98-105
ABSTRACT
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the follow-up
and management of cancer patients. Material and Methods: A survey consisting of 15 questions asking whether there was a delay in followup
or treatment of cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic was applied to the cancer patients who were admitted to our medical oncology outpatient
clinic for follow-up or treatment. Results: A total of 209 cancer patients were included in this study. In 56 (26.8%) patients, there was
a delay in the follow-up or treatment of cancer. The delay in cancer treatment occurred in 37 (66%) patients, and the delay in the follow-up
of cancer occurred in 19 (34%) patients. The median delay in the follow-up and treatment of cancer was both 30 days (range 1-120) and
(range 2-120), respectively. 12.5% of all patients who encountered delays in cancer follow-up or treatment had subsequent cancer-related
complications. Also, the delay was significantly higher in quarantined patients and patients diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndromecoronavirus-
2. In binary logistic regression analysis, living in rural areas and being quarantined due to the COVID-19 pandemic were determined
as independent predictors of the delay. Conclusion: The COVID-19 outbreak caused delays in the follow-up and treatment of cancer
patients, and acute complications arose due to unavoidable disruptions. To prevent long-term negative consequences of delays in cancer follow-
up and treatment, it is necessary to adapt the treatments judiciously without sacrificing patient safety and care.
Keywords: Cancer patients; COVID-19; follow-up