Generic placeholder image

Current Women`s Health Reviews

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1573-4048
ISSN (Online): 1875-6581

Systematic Review Article

The Effect of Coronavirus Pandemic on the Treatment of Gynecological and Breast Cancers

Author(s): Zohre Momenimovahed, Leila Allahqoli and Hamid Salehiniya*

Volume 20, Issue 6, 2024

Published on: 10 October, 2023

Article ID: e250823220352 Pages: 10

DOI: 10.2174/1573404820666230825105243

Price: $65

Abstract

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, various groups, including women with cancer, were affected as a high-risk group in terms of disease diagnosis and treatment. Despite the importance of therapeutic changes in cancers, such as breast and gynecological cancer, there is no comprehensive study in this regard that also refers to the coronavirus. The need for a deep understanding of the impact of coronavirus on the treatment plan of this group of patients caused the researcher to design and implement this study that aims to investigate the treatment challenge among cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and Methods: To answer the study question, a comprehensive search was carried out in databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, and Scopus, using keywords, including cancer, gynecologic cancer, breast cancer, treatment, delay, and modification. Full-texted, English language and original articles were included in this study.

Results: In total, 27 articles were selected for the study. The findings of this study revealed that COVID-19 greatly affects the treatment of gynecology and breast cancer. These patients experience delay or modification of cancer treatment. Increased time between diagnosis and treatment, delay, change or cancellation of surgery and change in treatment plan are the most important changes in cancer treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on various aspects of gynecology and breast cancer care worldwide. In the current pandemic, there has been a significant delay in the diagnosis and treatment of gynecological and breast cancer, which, due to its higher morbidity and mortality, has made the condition more difficult for cancer patients and treatment teams.

Graphical Abstract

[1]
Ramirez, P.T.; Chiva, L.; Eriksson, A.G.Z.; Frumovitz, M.; Fagotti, A.; Martin, A.G. COVID-19 global pandemic: Options for management of gynecologic cancers. Int. J. Gynecol. Cancer, 2020, 30, 561-563.
[2]
Blumenthal, D.; Fowler, E.J.; Abrams, M.; Collins, S.R. Covid-19-implications for the health care system. N. Engl. J. Med., 2020, 383(15), 1483-1488.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsb2021088]
[3]
Wise, J. Covid-19: Cancer mortality could rise at least 20% because of pandemic, study finds. BMJ, 2020, 369, m1735.
[4]
Ghidinelli, F.; Bianchi, A. COVID-19 and breast cancer: Impact on patients and breast care centers. Eur. J. Surg. Oncol., 2020, 46(11), 2158-2159.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejso.2020.06.025] [PMID: 32571635]
[5]
Sica, A.; Colombo, M.P.; Trama, A.; Horn, L.; Garassino, M.C.; Torri, V. Immunometabolic status of COVID-19 cancer patients. Physiol. Rev., 2020, 100(4), 1839-1850.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00018.2020] [PMID: 32721181]
[6]
De Guzman, R.; Malik, M. Dual challenge of cancer and COVID-19: Impact on health care and socioeconomic systems in Asia Pacific. JCO Glob. Oncol., 2020, 6(6), 906-912.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/GO.20.00227] [PMID: 32589462]
[7]
Momenimovahed, Z.; Salehiniya, H. Delay in the diagnosis of breast cancer during coronavirus pandemic. EXCLI J., 2021, 20, 142-144.
[PMID: 33564283]
[8]
Mazidimoradi, A.; Hadavandsiri, F.; Momenimovahed, Z.; Salehiniya, H. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on colorectal cancer diagnosis and treatment: A systematic review. J. Gastrointest. Cancer, 2021, 54(1), 1-17.
[PMID: 34843058]
[9]
Kuderer, N.M.; Choueiri, T.K.; Shah, D.P. Clinical impact of COVID-19 on patients with cancer (CCC19): A cohort study. Lancet, 2020, 395(10241), 1907-1918.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31187-9] [PMID: 32473681]
[10]
Lee, L.Y.W.; Cazier, J.B.; Angelis, V. COVID-19 mortality in patients with cancer on chemotherapy or other anticancer treatments: A prospective cohort study. Lancet, 2020, 395(10241), 1919-1926.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31173-9] [PMID: 32473682]
[11]
Garreffa, E.; Hamad, A.; O’Sullivan, C.C. Regional lymphadenopathy following COVID-19 vaccination: Literature review and considerations for patient management in breast cancer care. Eur. J. Cancer, 2021, 159, 38-51.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2021.09.033] [PMID: 34731748]
[12]
Alpuim Costa, D.; Nobre, J.G.G.; Fernandes, J.P. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer management in portugal: A cross-sectional survey-based study of medical oncologists. Oncol. Ther., 2022, 10(1), 225-240.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40487-022-00191-7] [PMID: 35312952]
[13]
Caswell-Jin, J.L.; Shafaee, M.N.; Xiao, L. Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic in a nationwide, insured population. Breast Cancer Res. Treat., 2022, 194(2), 475-482.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10549-022-06634-z] [PMID: 35624175]
[14]
Li, J.; Wang, H.; Geng, C. Suboptimal declines and delays in early breast cancer treatment after COVID-19 quarantine restrictions in China: A national survey of 8397 patients in the first quarter of 2020. EClinicalMedicine, 2020, 26, 100503.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100503] [PMID: 32989430]
[15]
Escobar, N.; DiMaggio, C.; Pocock, B.; Pescovitz, A.; McCalla, S.; Joseph, K.A. Effects of COVID-19 on surgical delays in patients with breast cancer in NYC public hospitals: A multicenter study. Ann. Surg. Oncol., 2023, 30(1), 23-30.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1245/s10434-022-12491-3] [PMID: 36109414]
[16]
Eijkelboom, A.H.; de Munck, L. Changes in breast cancer treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic: A Dutch population-based study. Breast Cancer Res. Treat., 2022, 197(1), 161-175.
[PMID: 36334188]
[17]
Eijkelboom, A.H.; de Munck, L.; Vrancken Peeters, M.J.T.F.D. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on diagnosis, stage, and initial treatment of breast cancer in the Netherlands: A population-based study. J. Hematol. Oncol., 2021, 14(1), 64.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13045-021-01073-7] [PMID: 33865430]
[18]
Frey, M.K.; Fowlkes, R.K.; Badiner, N.M. Gynecologic oncology care during the COVID-19 pandemic at three affiliated New York City hospitals. Gynecol. Oncol., 2020, 159(2), 470-475.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.09.005] [PMID: 32981694]
[19]
Martinelli, F.; Garbi, A. Change in practice in gynecologic oncology during the COVID-19 pandemic: A social media survey. Int. J. Gynecol. Cancer, 2020, 30(8), 1101-1107.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ijgc-2020-001585] [PMID: 32513664]
[20]
Altın, D.; Yalçın, İ.; Khatib, G. Management of gynecological cancers in the COVID-19 era: A survey from Turkey. J. Turk. Ger. Gynecol. Assoc., 2020, 21(4), 265-271.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.4274/jtgga.galenos.2020.2020.0071] [PMID: 33274616]
[21]
Bogani, G.; Apolone, G.; Ditto, A.; Scambia, G.; Panici, P.B.; Angioli, R. Impact of COVID-19 in gynecologic oncology: A nationwide italian survey of the SIGO and MITO groups. J. Gynecol. Oncol., 2020, 31(6), e92.
[22]
Gasparri, M.L.; Gentilini, O.D.; Lueftner, D.; Kuehn, T.; Kaidar-Person, O.; Poortmans, P. Changes in breast cancer management during the Corona Virus Disease 19 pandemic: An international survey of the European Breast Cancer Research Association of Surgical Trialists (EUBREAST). Breast, 2020, 52, 110-115.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.breast.2020.05.006] [PMID: 32502796]
[23]
Hathout, L.; Ennis, R.D.; Mattes, M.D. The impact of COVID-19 on brachytherapy during the pandemic: A rutgers-robert wood johnson barnabas health multisite experience. Adv. Radiat. Oncol., 2021, 6(1), 100600.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.adro.2020.10.013] [PMID: 33163697]
[24]
Kapp, K.A.; Cheng, A.L.; Bruton, C.M.; Ahmadiyeh, N. Impact of COVID-19 restrictions on stage of breast cancer at presentation and time to treatment at an urban safety-net hospital. Ann. Surg. Oncol., 2022, 29(10), 6189-6196.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1245/s10434-022-12139-2] [PMID: 36036844]
[25]
Lee, J.; Jung, J.H.; Kim, W.W.; Park, C.S.; Park, H.Y. Patterns of delaying surgery for breast cancer during the COVID-19 outbreak in daegu, South Korea. Front. Surg., 2020, 7, 576196.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fsurg.2020.576196] [PMID: 33134309]
[26]
Dursun, P.; Dervisoglu, H.; Daggez, M. Performing gynecologic cancer surgery during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Turkey: A multicenter retrospective observational study. Int. J. Gynaecol. Obstet., 2020, 151(1), 33-38.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.13296] [PMID: 32623717]
[27]
de Santiago, J.; Yelo, C.F.; Chereguini, M. COVID-19: Gynecologic cancer surgery at a single center in Madrid. Int. J. Gynecol. Cancer, 2020, 30(8), 1108-1112.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ijgc-2020-001638] [PMID: 32641394]
[28]
Nakayama, J.; El-Nashar, S.A.; Waggoner, S.; Traughber, B.; Kesterson, J. Adjusting to the new reality: Evaluation of early practice pattern adaptations to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gynecol. Oncol., 2020, 158(2), 256-261.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.05.028] [PMID: 32482336]
[29]
Bogani, G.; Ditto, A.; Bosio, S.; Brusadelli, C.; Raspagliesi, F. Cancer patients affected by COVID-19: Experience from milan, Lombardy. Gynecol. Oncol., 2020, 158(2), 262-265.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.06.161] [PMID: 32534808]
[30]
Matsuo, K.; Novatt, H.; Matsuzaki, S. Wait-time for hysterectomy and survival of women with early-stage cervical cancer: A clinical implication during the coronavirus pandemic. Gynecol. Oncol., 2020, 158(1), 37-43.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.05.019] [PMID: 32425268]
[31]
Minami, C.A.; Kantor, O.; Weiss, A.; Nakhlis, F.; King, T.A.; Mittendorf, E.A. Association between time to operation and pathologic stage in ductal carcinoma in situ and early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. J. Am. Coll. Surg., 2020, 231(4), 434-447e2.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2020.06.021] [PMID: 32771654]
[32]
Moterani, V.C.; Moterani, N.J.W., Jr; Candido dos Reis, F.J. Treatment delay and treatment pattern modifications among epithelial ovarian cancer patients during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A retrospective cohort study. J. Surg. Oncol., 2022, 126(7), 1155-1161.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jso.27048] [PMID: 35929947]
[33]
Murris, F.; Huchon, C.; Zilberman, S. Impact of the first lockdown for coronavirus 19 on breast cancer management in France: A multicentre survey. J. Gynecol. Obstet. Hum. Reprod., 2021, 50(9), 102166.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jogoh.2021.102166] [PMID: 34033966]
[34]
Vanni, G.; Tazzioli, G.; Pellicciaro, M. Delay in breast cancer treatments during the first COVID-19 Lockdown. A multicentric analysis of 432 patients. Anticancer Res., 2020, 40(12), 7119-7125.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.21873/anticanres.14741] [PMID: 33288611]
[35]
Brenes Sánchez, JM Picado AL, Olivares Crespo ME, García Sáenz J, De La Plata Merlo RM, De La Muela MH. Breast cancer management during COVID-19 pandemic in madrid: Surgical strategy. Clin. Breast Cancer, 2021, 21(1), e128-e135.
[PMID: 33223393]
[36]
Papautsky, E.L.; Hamlish, T. Patient-reported treatment delays in breast cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Breast Cancer Res. Treat., 2020, 184(1), 249-254.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10549-020-05828-7] [PMID: 32772225]
[37]
Istrate-Ofițeru, A.M.; Berbecaru, E.I.A.; Ruican, D. The influence of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the diagnosis and treatment of cervical dysplasia. Medicina , 2021, 57(10), 1101.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/medicina57101101] [PMID: 34684138]
[38]
Zhao, F.; Henderson, T.O.; Cipriano, T.M. The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on the quality of life and treatment disruption of patients with breast cancer in a multiethnic cohort. Cancer, 2021, 127(21), 4072-4080.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cncr.33798] [PMID: 34292583]
[39]
Malagón T, Yong JHE, Tope P, Miller WH Jr, Franco EL. Predicted long‐term impact of COVID ‐19 pandemic‐related care delays on cancer mortality in Canada. Int. J. Cancer, 2022, 150(8), 1244-1254.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ijc.33884] [PMID: 34843106]
[40]
Alagoz, O.; Lowry, K.P.; Kurian, A.W. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer mortality in the US: Estimates from collaborative simulation modeling. J. Natl. Cancer Inst., 2021, 113(11), 1484-1494.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djab097] [PMID: 34258611]
[41]
Maringe, C.; Spicer, J.; Morris, M. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer deaths due to delays in diagnosis in England, UK: A national, population-based, modelling study. Lancet Oncol., 2020, 21(8), 1023-1034.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30388-0] [PMID: 32702310]
[42]
Ward, Z.J.; Walbaum, M.; Walbaum, B. Estimating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on diagnosis and survival of five cancers in Chile from 2020 to 2030: A simulation-based analysis. Lancet Oncol., 2021, 22(10), 1427-1437.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(21)00426-5] [PMID: 34487693]
[43]
Allahqoli, L.; Mazidimoradi, A.; Momenimovahed, Z. The global incidence, mortality, and burden of breast cancer in 2019: Correlation with smoking, drinking, and drug use. Front. Oncol., 2022, 12, 921015.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2022.921015] [PMID: 35965518]
[44]
Beypinar, I.; Urun, M. Intravenous chemotherapy adherence of cancer patients in time of covid-19 crisis. UHOD Uluslar. Hematol. Onkol. Derg., 2020, 30(3), 133-138.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.4999/uhod.204528]
[45]
Albiges, L.; Foulon, S.; Bayle, A. Determinants of the outcomes of patients with cancer infected with SARS-CoV-2: Results from the Gustave Roussy cohort. Nat. Can., 2020, 1(10), 965-975.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s43018-020-00120-5] [PMID: 35121871]
[46]
Sud, A.; Jones, M.E.; Broggio, J. Collateral damage: The impact on outcomes from cancer surgery of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ann. Oncol., 2020, 31(8), 1065-1074.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2020.05.009] [PMID: 32442581]
[47]
Bhandoria, G.; Shylasree, T.S.; Bhandarkar, P. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on gynecological oncology care: Glimpse into Association of Gynecological Oncologists of India (AGOI) perspective. Indian J Gynecol Oncol, 2020, 18(3), 71.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40944-020-00421-8] [PMID: 32974418]
[48]
Momenimovahed, Z.; Salehiniya, H.; Hadavandsiri, F.; Allahqoli, L.; Günther, V.; Alkatout, I. Psychological distress among cancer patients during COVID-19 pandemic in the world: A systematic review. Front. Psychol., 2021, 12, 682154.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.682154] [PMID: 34650469]
[49]
Turashvili, G.; Brogi, E. Tumor heterogeneity in breast cancer. Front. Med., 2017, 4, 227.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2017.00227] [PMID: 29276709]
[50]
Chen, H.; Wu, X.; Wang, W.; Wang, Q. When cancer encounters COVID-19 in China: What have we suffered, experienced and learned. Jpn. J. Clin. Oncol., 2020, 50(6), 712-717.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jjco/hyaa077] [PMID: 32415305]
[51]
Buonomo, O.C.; Materazzo, M.; Pellicciaro, M.; Caspi, J.; Piccione, E.; Vanni, G. Tor vergata university-hospital in the beginning of COVID-19-Era: Experience and recommendation for breast cancer patients. In Vivo, 2020, 34(S3), 1661-1665.
[52]
de Azambuja, E.; Trapani, D.; Loibl, S. ESMO Management and treatment adapted recommendations in the COVID-19 era: Breast Cancer. ESMO Open, 2020, 5(Suppl. 3), e000793.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/esmoopen-2020-000793] [PMID: 32439716]
[53]
Curigliano, G.; Cardoso, M.J.; Poortmans, P. Recommendations for triage, prioritization and treatment of breast cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Breast, 2020, 52, 8-16.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.breast.2020.04.006] [PMID: 32334323]
[54]
Zhang, Z; Ojutiku, O; Mango, VL Breast cancer patients’ response to COVID-19-related imaging and treatment delays: An online forum analysis. J Am Coll Radiol, 2021; , 18((1 Pt A)), 71-4.
[PMID: 33031785]
[55]
Offodile, A.C., II; Gu, C.; Boukovalas, S. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways in breast reconstruction: Systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature. Breast Cancer Res. Treat., 2019, 173(1), 65-77.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10549-018-4991-8] [PMID: 30306426]
[56]
Vanni, G.; Pellicciaro, M.; Materazzo, M. Awake breast cancer surgery: Strategy in the beginning of COVID-19 emergency. Breast Cancer, 2021, 28(1), 137-144.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12282-020-01137-5] [PMID: 32734327]
[57]
Specht, M.; Sobti, N.; Rosado, N. High-efficiency same-day approach to breast reconstruction during the COVID-19 crisis. Breast Cancer Res. Treat., 2020, 182(3), 679-688.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10549-020-05739-7] [PMID: 32562119]
[58]
Alkatout, I.; Biebl, M.; Momenimovahed, Z. Has COVID-19 affected cancer screening programs? A review. Front. Oncol., 2021, 11, 675038.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.675038] [PMID: 34079764]
[59]
Allahqoli, L.; Mazidimoradi, A.; Salehiniya, H.; Alkatout, I. Impact of COVID-19 on cancer screening: A global perspective. Curr. Opin. Support. Palliat. Care, 2022, 16(3), 102-109.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/SPC.0000000000000602] [PMID: 35862881]
[60]
Hesary, FB; Salehiniya, H The Impact of the COVID-19 Epidemic on Diagnosis, Treatment, Concerns, Problems, and Mental Health in Patients with Gastric Cancer. J Gastrointest Cancer., 2022 Sep;53(3), 797-804. Epub 2021 Sep 14.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12029-021-00692-0] [PMID: 34519975] [PMCID: PMC8438101]
[61]
Liang, W.; Guan, W.; Chen, R. Cancer patients in SARS-CoV-2 infection: A nationwide analysis in China. Lancet Oncol., 2020, 21(3), 335-337.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30096-6] [PMID: 32066541]
[62]
Wang, H.; Zhang, L. Risk of COVID-19 for patients with cancer. Lancet Oncol., 2020, 21(4), e181.
[63]
Shen, S.C.; Hung, Y.C.; Kung, P.T.; Yang, W.H.; Wang, Y.H.; Tsai, W.C. Factors involved in the delay of treatment initiation for cervical cancer patients. Medicine , 2016, 95(33), e4568.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000004568] [PMID: 27537583]
[64]
Shalowitz, D.I.; Epstein, A.J.; Buckingham, L.; Ko, E.M.; Giuntoli, R.L. Survival implications of time to surgical treatment of endometrial cancers. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol., 2017, 216(3), e1-e18.
[65]
Liu, Y.; Zhang, T.; Wu, Q. Relationship between initiation time of adjuvant chemotherapy and survival in ovarian cancer patients: A dose-response meta-analysis of cohort studies. Sci. Rep., 2017, 7(1), 9461.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-10197-1] [PMID: 28842667]
[66]
Smith, E.C.; Ziogas, A.; Anton-Culver, H. Delay in surgical treatment and survival after breast cancer diagnosis in young women by race/ethnicity. JAMA Surg., 2013, 148(6), 516-523.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamasurg.2013.1680] [PMID: 23615681]
[67]
Burki, T.K. Cancer care in the time of COVID-19. Lancet Oncol., 2020, 21(5), 628.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(20)30201-1] [PMID: 32213339]
[68]
Hartman, H.E.; Sun, Y.; Devasia, T.P. Integrated survival estimates for cancer treatment delay among adults with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA Oncol., 2020, 6(12), 1881-1889.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamaoncol.2020.5403] [PMID: 33119036]
[69]
Sirintrapun, S.J.; Lopez, A.M. Telemedicine in cancer care. Am. Soc. Clin. Oncol. Educ. Book, 2018, 38(38), 540-545.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/EDBK_200141] [PMID: 30231354]

Rights & Permissions Print Cite
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy