Worldwide, the coronavirus 19 disease pandemic caused a worse chance of a timely diagnosis for cancer patients. We conducted a retrospective analysis of new diagnoses registered in the national pediatric oncology database, comparing the first lockdown period (March-May 2020) with the same period of 2015-2019. The total number of cases (0-19 years) dropped by 20.8% (from 441 between 2015 and 2019 to 349 in 2020). A major reduction was observed for adolescents (15-19 years) (-32.9%) and for adolescents with solid tumors (-56.4%, p = 0.03). Our data suggest that the enforced lockdown reduced the possibility for these already vulnerable patients to access the referral centers.
Quarello, P., Ferrari, A., Mascarin, M., Milano, G.M., Tornesello, A., Bertolotti, M., et al. (2021). Diagnostic Delay in Adolescents with Cancer During COVID-19 Pandemic: A New Price for Our Patients to Pay. JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULT ONCOLOGY, 21, 2021-2026 [10.1089/jayao.2021.0057].
Diagnostic Delay in Adolescents with Cancer During COVID-19 Pandemic: A New Price for Our Patients to Pay
Ferrari, Andrea;Pession, Andrea;
2021
Abstract
Worldwide, the coronavirus 19 disease pandemic caused a worse chance of a timely diagnosis for cancer patients. We conducted a retrospective analysis of new diagnoses registered in the national pediatric oncology database, comparing the first lockdown period (March-May 2020) with the same period of 2015-2019. The total number of cases (0-19 years) dropped by 20.8% (from 441 between 2015 and 2019 to 349 in 2020). A major reduction was observed for adolescents (15-19 years) (-32.9%) and for adolescents with solid tumors (-56.4%, p = 0.03). Our data suggest that the enforced lockdown reduced the possibility for these already vulnerable patients to access the referral centers.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
