Impact of COVID-19 on the curative treatment of prostate cancer: a national cross-sectional study
Ce dossier présente un ensemble d'articles concernant la prise en charge des cancers durant la crise sanitaire liée au COVID-19
Background: COVID-19 pandemic affected access to cancer treatment worldwide. However, there is a lack of data about the impact in developing countries. The objective was to evaluate COVID-19 impact on curative prostate cancer (Pca) treatment in Brazil.
Materials and methods: With data extracted from the Brazilian Ministry of Health database, the Non-COVID and COVID periods were analyzed to compare the absolute number of radical prostatectomy (RP) and radiotherapy (RT) executed in the country and regions.
Results: With data from 50,169 Pca patients (NO COVID = 28,106 cases and COVID =22,063) treated with RP or RT in Brazil, a significant decline in patients receiving RT or RP (–6.043 cases; p = 0.0001) was detected. Both treatment procedures (RT or PR) were reduced in all five Brazilian regions comparing the Non-COVID and COVID periods. Overall, there was a reduction on RP and RT procedures in 92% (24/25) and 76% (19/25) of the evaluated states, respectively. Comparing the variation of RT and RP per state between COVID and Non-COVID period, there is a significant difference (–18.6% vs. –29%, p = 0.03) with a higher negative impact on the RP group. The RT and RP variation had no significant relationship with the incidence of COVID cases in the states. Limitations include the non-evaluation of treatment combinations, the impact of hypofractionated radiotherapy, and other factors influencing the treatment choice.
Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the curative treatment with RP and RT of Pca was abruptly limited and affected. However, the number of RP was more impacted than RT during the COVID period.
Reports of Practical Oncology and Radiotherapy , résumé, 2022