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Bennett D, Murray I, Mitchell H, Gavin A, Donnelly D. Impact of COVID-19 on cancer incidence, presentation, diagnosis, treatment and survival in Northern Ireland. Int J Cancer 2024; 154:1731-1744. [PMID: 38268160 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on cancer patients and services but has been difficult to quantify. We examined how the entire cancer pathway-from incidence, presentation, diagnosis, stage, treatment and survival-was affected in Northern Ireland during April-December 2020 compared to equivalent 2018-2019 periods using retrospective, observational cancer registry data from the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR). There were 6748 cancer cases in April-December 2020 and an average 7724 patients in April-December 2018-2019. Incident cases decreased by 13% (almost 1000). Significant differences were found across age cohorts and deprivation quintiles, with reductions greatest for younger people (<55 years; 19% decrease) and less deprived (22% decrease). A higher proportion had emergency admission (16%-to-20%) with lower proportions diagnosed pathologically (85%-to-83%). There was a significant stage shift, with lower proportions of early stage (29%-to-25%) and higher late-stage (21%-to-23%). Lower proportions received surgery (41%-to-38%) and radiotherapy (24%-to-22%) with a higher proportion not receiving treatment (29%-to-33%). One-year observed-survival decreased from 73.7% to 69.8% and 1-year net-survival decreased from 76.1% to 72.9%, with differences driven by five tumours; Lung (40.3%-to-35.0%), Head-and-Neck (77.4%-to-68.4%), Oesophageal (53.5%-to-42.3%), Lymphoma (81.1%-to-75.2%) and Uterine cancer (87.4%-to-80.4%). Our study reveals profound adverse impact of COVID-19 on the entire cancer patient pathway, with 13% fewer cases, greater emergency admissions and significant stage-shift from early to more advanced-stage disease. There was major treatment impact with lower rates of surgery and radiotherapy and higher proportions receiving no treatment. There were significant reductions in 1-year survival. Our study will support service recovery and protect cancer services in future pandemics or disruptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Bennett
- Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Centre for Public Health, Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Inez Murray
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Helen Mitchell
- Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Centre for Public Health, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - Anna Gavin
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland
| | - David Donnelly
- Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Centre for Public Health, Belfast, Northern Ireland
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Lemanska A, Andrews C, Fisher L, Bacon S, Mehrkar A, Inglesby P, Davy S, Goldacre B, MacKenna B, Walker AJ. During the COVID-19 pandemic 20 000 prostate cancer diagnoses were missed in England. BJU Int 2024; 133:587-595. [PMID: 38414224 DOI: 10.1111/bju.16305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on prostate cancer incidence, prevalence, and mortality in England. PATIENTS AND METHODS With the approval of NHS England and using the OpenSAFELY-TPP dataset of 24 million patients, we undertook a cohort study of men diagnosed with prostate cancer. We visualised monthly rates in prostate cancer incidence, prevalence, and mortality per 100 000 adult men from January 2015 to July 2023. To assess the effect of the pandemic, we used generalised linear models and the pre-pandemic data to predict the expected rates from March 2020 as if the pandemic had not occurred. The 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the predicted values were used to estimate the significance of the difference between the predicted and observed rates. RESULTS In 2020, there was a drop in recorded incidence by 4772 (31%) cases (15 550 vs 20 322; 95% CI 19 241-21 403). In 2021, the incidence started to recover, and the drop was 3148 cases (18%, 17 950 vs 21 098; 95% CI 19 740-22 456). By 2022, the incidence returned to the levels that would be expected. During the pandemic, the age at diagnosis shifted towards older men. In 2020, the average age was 71.6 (95% CI 71.5-71.8) years, in 2021 it was 71.8 (95% CI 71.7-72.0) years as compared to 71.3 (95% CI 71.1-71.4) years in 2019. CONCLUSIONS Given that our dataset represents 40% of the population, we estimate that proportionally the pandemic led to 20 000 missed prostate cancer diagnoses in England alone. The increase in incidence recorded in 2023 was not enough to account for the missed cases. The prevalence of prostate cancer remained lower throughout the pandemic than expected. As the recovery efforts continue, healthcare should focus on finding the men who were affected. The research should focus on investigating the potential harms to men diagnosed at older age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Lemanska
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Colm Andrews
- Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Louis Fisher
- Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Seb Bacon
- Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Amir Mehrkar
- Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Peter Inglesby
- Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Simon Davy
- Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ben Goldacre
- Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Brian MacKenna
- Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alex J Walker
- Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Round T, Sethuraman L, Ashworth M, Purushotham A. Transforming post pandemic cancer services. Br J Cancer 2024; 130:1233-1238. [PMID: 38491174 PMCID: PMC11014976 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02596-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
This paper outlines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer services in the UK including screening, symptomatic diagnosis, treatment pathways and projections on clinical outcomes as a result of these care disruptions. A restoration of cancer services to pre-pandemic levels is not likely to mitigate this adverse impact, particularly with an ageing population and increased cancer burden. New cancer cases are projected to rise to over 500,000 per year by 2035, with over 4 million people living with and beyond cancer. This paper calls for a strategic transformation to prioritise effort on the basis of available datasets and evidence-in particular, to prioritise cancers where an earlier diagnosis is feasible and clinically useful with a focus on mortality benefit by preventing emergency presentations by harnessing data and analytics. This could be delivered by a focus on underperforming groups/areas to try and reduce inequity, linking near real-time datasets with clinical decision support systems at the primary and secondary care levels, promoting the use of novel technologies to improve patient uptake of services, screening and diagnosis, and finally, upskilling and cross-skilling healthcare workers to expand supply of diagnostic and screening services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Round
- School of Life Course and Population Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
| | | | - Mark Ashworth
- School of Life Course and Population Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Arnie Purushotham
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
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Ng Hung Shin B, Tan S, Rhee H, Chung E. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on delivery of prostate cancer care in Australia: An interrupted time series analysis. Int J Cancer 2024; 154:1003-1010. [PMID: 37921494 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a major disruption to health services across the world. The aim of this population-based study was to assess the downstream effects of the pandemic on diagnostic tests and treatment activities related to prostate cancer (PC). The Australian Government Department of Health Medicare Benefits Schedule and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme databases were queried from January 2010 to June 2022. Two interrupted time series were performed Pre-COVID (January 2010 to February 2020) and peri-COVID (March 2020 to June 2022). Temporal modeling was performed to account for seasonal variation. Pre-COVID-19, monthly prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing showed a declining trend and testing decreased by 81 tests per 100 000 annually. A single-month 38% drop in PSA testing was observed in April 2020; this corresponded to Australia's first wave. No change was observed in the rate of prostate biopsies. Peri-COVID-19 outbreaks, there was a slight shift toward the use of long-acting androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) at 4% with a predilection still for short-acting agents. with no registered change in the overall volume of radiotherapy or surgery. There were no deficits in the number of diagnostic and treatment activities for men with PC. Aside from a slight shift toward long-acting ADT use during the pandemic, no other patterns were observed. The longer-term impact such as missed diagnosis or late presentation affecting chances of survival due to COVID-19 is yet to be ascertained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Ng Hung Shin
- Department of Urology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Samuel Tan
- Department of Urology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Handoo Rhee
- Department of Urology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Eric Chung
- Department of Urology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- AndroUrology Centre, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Boyle JM, Kuryba A, Blake HA, van der Meulen J, Fearnhead NS, Braun MS, Walker K. Inequalities in the recovery of colorectal cancer services during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national population-based study. Colorectal Dis 2024; 26:486-496. [PMID: 38302858 DOI: 10.1111/codi.16887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
AIM Evidence is lacking on whether there were inequalities in the recovery of colorectal cancer (CRC) services within the English National Health Service (NHS) following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to evaluate recovery according to patient age and socioeconomic status. METHOD Using routinely collected data, CRC patients diagnosed and treated in the English NHS were identified for two timeframes: the 'initial pandemic period' (April-June 2020) and the 'pandemic period' (April 2020-March 2022). Poisson models evaluated changes in numbers of diagnoses, major resections, adjuvant chemotherapy and neoadjuvant radiotherapy use for each timeframe, relative to the equivalent pre-pandemic timeframe (April-June 2019 and April 2018-March 2020, respectively), stratified by age and socioeconomic status. Tumour stage at presentation was evaluated over time. RESULTS Substantial deficits in diagnoses, major resections and adjuvant chemotherapy were identified in the initial pandemic period, whilst the use of neoadjuvant radiotherapy increased. Overall, these deficits recovered. Patients outside screening age, and in the most deprived group, had greater deficits in diagnoses and major resections. There was no evidence of stage migration by June 2021. CONCLUSIONS CRC services showed recovery to baseline during the pandemic. However, evident inequalities must be addressed in ongoing recovery efforts. Long-term outcomes will fully establish the impact of the pandemic on CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jemma M Boyle
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Clinical Effectiveness Unit, Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, UK
| | - Angela Kuryba
- Clinical Effectiveness Unit, Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, UK
| | - Helen A Blake
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Clinical Effectiveness Unit, Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, UK
| | - Jan van der Meulen
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Clinical Effectiveness Unit, Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, UK
| | - Nicola S Fearnhead
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michael S Braun
- Department of Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Kate Walker
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Clinical Effectiveness Unit, Royal College of Surgeons of England, London, UK
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Dodkins J, Nossiter J, Cook A, Payne H, Clarke N, van der Meulen J, Aggarwal A. Does Research from Clinical Trials in Metastatic Hormone-sensitive Prostate Cancer Treatment Translate into Access to Treatments for Patients in the "Real World"? A Systematic Review. Eur Urol Oncol 2024; 7:14-24. [PMID: 37380578 DOI: 10.1016/j.euo.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Since 2015 there have been major advances in the management of primary metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) following the publication of key clinical trials that demonstrated significant clinical benefits with docetaxel chemotherapy or novel hormone therapy (NHT) in addition to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Despite these advances, there is evidence to show that these treatments are not being utilised for mHSPC in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE To determine the utilisation of docetaxel and NHT in mHSPC in routine practice and the determinants of variation in their use. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION MEDLINE and Embase were searched systematically for studies on utilisation of treatments for primary mHSPC that were based on regional or national data sets and published after January 2005. Study results were summarised using a narrative synthesis. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Thirteen papers were included in the analysis, six full-text articles and seven abstracts, on studies that included a total of 166 876 patients. The utilisation rate of treatment intensification with either docetaxel or NHT (enzalutamide, apalutamide, or abiraterone) in addition to ADT ranged from 9.3% to 38.1% across the studies. Younger, White patients with fewer comorbidities and living in more urban settings were more likely to be prescribed treatment intensification. Patients treated in private academic institutions by oncologists were more likely to receive docetaxel or NHT. Socioeconomic status did not impact receipt of systemic therapy. NHT utilisation rates appear to have increased over time. CONCLUSIONS These results highlight the need to change the approach to the treatment of primary mHSPC in the real world by harnessing the practice-changing results from recent trials in this setting to optimise upfront systemic therapy for this patient population. PATIENT SUMMARY We reviewed the use of treatments for primary metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer that showed a benefit in key clinical trials. We found that these treatments are underused, particularly among certain patient groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Dodkins
- Clinical Effectiveness Unit, Royal College of Surgeons, London, UK; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Julie Nossiter
- Clinical Effectiveness Unit, Royal College of Surgeons, London, UK; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Adrian Cook
- Clinical Effectiveness Unit, Royal College of Surgeons, London, UK
| | - Heather Payne
- Clinical Effectiveness Unit, Royal College of Surgeons, London, UK; Department of Oncology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Noel Clarke
- Clinical Effectiveness Unit, Royal College of Surgeons, London, UK; Department of Urology, The Christie and Salford Royal Hospitals, Manchester, UK
| | - Jan van der Meulen
- Clinical Effectiveness Unit, Royal College of Surgeons, London, UK; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ajay Aggarwal
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Oncology, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Marty S, Lamé G, Guével E, Priou S, Chatellier G, Tournigand C, Kempf E. Impact of the Sars-Cov-2 outbreak on the initial clinical presentation of new solid cancer diagnoses: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:143. [PMID: 38287348 PMCID: PMC10823607 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11795-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic might have delayed cancer diagnosis and management. The aim of this systematic review was to compare the initial tumor stage of new cancer diagnoses before and after the pandemic. METHODS We systematically reviewed articles that compared the tumor stage of new solid cancer diagnoses before and after the initial pandemic waves. We conducted a random-effects meta-analysis to compare the rate of metastatic tumors and the distribution of stages at diagnosis. Subgroup analyses were performed by primary tumor site and by country. RESULTS From 2,013 studies published between January 2020 and April 2022, we included 58 studies with 109,996 patients. The rate of metastatic tumors was higher after the COVID-19 outbreak than before (pooled OR: 1.29 (95% CI, 1.06-1.57), I2: 89% (95% CI, 86-91)). For specific cancers, common ORs reached statistical significance for breast (OR: 1.51 (95% CI 1.07-2.12)) and gynecologic (OR: 1.51 (95% CI 1.04-2.18)) cancers, but not for other cancer types. According to countries, common OR (95% CI) reached statistical significance only for Italy: 1.55 (1.01-2.39) and Spain:1.14 (1.02-1.29). Rates were comparable for stage I-II versus III-IV in studies for which that information was available, and for stages I-II versus stage III in studies that did not include metastatic patients. CONCLUSIONS Despite inter-study heterogeneity, our meta-analysis showed a higher rate of metastatic tumors at diagnosis after the pandemic. The burden of social distancing policies might explain those results, as patients may have delayed seeking care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Marty
- Department of medical oncology, Henri Mondor and Albert Chenevier Teaching Hospital, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, 1 rue Gustave Eiffel, 94000, Créteil, France
| | - Guillaume Lamé
- Laboratoire Genie Industriel, CentraleSupélec, Paris Saclay University, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Etienne Guével
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Innovation and Data, IT Department, Paris, France
| | - Sonia Priou
- Laboratoire Genie Industriel, CentraleSupélec, Paris Saclay University, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Gilles Chatellier
- Department of medical informatics, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre-Université de Paris (APHP-CUP), Université de Paris, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Christophe Tournigand
- Department of medical oncology, Henri Mondor and Albert Chenevier Teaching Hospital, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, 1 rue Gustave Eiffel, 94000, Créteil, France
| | - Emmanuelle Kempf
- Department of medical oncology, Henri Mondor and Albert Chenevier Teaching Hospital, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, 1 rue Gustave Eiffel, 94000, Créteil, France.
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Laboratoire d'Informatique Médicale et d'Ingénierie des Connaissances pour la e-Santé, LIMICS, Paris, France.
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Mostafavi Zadeh SM, Tajik F, Gheytanchi E, Kiani J, Ghods R, Madjd Z. COVID-19 pandemic impact on screening and diagnosis of prostate cancer: a systematic review. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2023:spcare-2023-004310. [PMID: 37748857 DOI: 10.1136/spcare-2023-004310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The healthcare level has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic compared with before the outbreak. This study aimed to review the impact of COVID-19 on the screening and diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa). METHOD The current study was designed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020. The keywords used to perform the search strategy were COVID-19 and prostate neoplasms. The four primary electronic databases comprising PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase were searched until 1 September 2022. After screening and selecting studies through the EndNote software, data were extracted from each included study by two independent authors. All studies were evaluated according to Newcastle-Ottawa Scale quality assessment tool. RESULTS As a result, 40 studies were included, categorised into two subjects. The majority of studies indicated a significant decrease in screening prostate-specific antibody tests during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the pre-pandemic period, leading to delays in cancer diagnosis. The decrease in the number of diagnosed cases with low/intermediate stages to some extent was more than those with advanced stages. The PCa screening and diagnosis reduction ranged from nearly 0% to 78% and from 4.1% to 71.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION Our findings showed that during the COVID-19 lockdown, delays in PCa screening tests and diagnoses led to the negative health effects on patients with PCa. Thus, it is highly recommended performing regular cancer screening to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42021291656.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Mostafa Mostafavi Zadeh
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Tajik
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elmira Gheytanchi
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jafar Kiani
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roya Ghods
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Madjd
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Aggarwal A, Han L, Sullivan R, Haire K, Sangar V, van der Meulen J. Managing the cancer backlog: a national population-based study of patient mobility, waiting times and 'spare capacity' for cancer surgery. Lancet Reg Health Eur 2023; 30:100642. [PMID: 37465324 PMCID: PMC10350851 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Background Waiting times for cancer treatments continue to increase in many countries. In this study we estimated potential 'spare surgical capacity' in the English NHS and identified regions more likely to have spare capacity based on patterns of patient mobility (the extent to which patients receive surgery at hospitals other than their nearest). Methods We identified patients who had an elective breast or colorectal cancer surgical resection between January 2016 and December 2018. We estimated each hospital's 'maximum surgical capacity' as the maximum 6-month moving average of its surgical volume. 'Spare surgical capacity' was estimated as the difference between maximum surgical capacity and observed surgical volume. We assessed the association between spare surgical capacity and whether a hospital performed more or fewer procedures than expected due to patient mobility as well as the association between spare surgical capacity and whether or not waiting times targets for treatment were likely to be met. Findings 100,585 and 49,445 patients underwent breast and colorectal cancer surgery respectively. 67 of 166 hospitals (40.4%) providing breast cancer surgery and 82 of 163 hospitals (50.3%) providing colorectal cancer surgery used less than 80% of their maximum surgical capacity. Hospitals with a 'net loss' of patients to hospitals further away had more potential spare capacity than hospitals with a 'net gain' of patients (p < 0.001 for breast and p = 0.01 for colorectal cancer). At the national level, we projected an annual potential spare capacity of 8389 breast cancer and 4262 colorectal cancer surgical procedures, approximately 25% of the volumes actually performed. Interpretation Spare surgical capacity potentially exists in the present configuration of hospitals providing cancer surgery and requires regional allocation for efficient utilisation. Funding National Institute for Health Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Aggarwal
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Department of Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Institute of Cancer Policy, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Lu Han
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | - Vijay Sangar
- The Christie NHS Trust and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
- Manchester University, UK
| | - Jan van der Meulen
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Hayes J, Nayak A, Gan C, Foley C, Vasdev N, Popert R, Adshead J. A TREXIT Catalyst: an updated review of NHS England prostate biopsy data during COVID-19. BJU Int 2023; 131:304-305. [PMID: 36445113 DOI: 10.1111/bju.15939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John Hayes
- Department of Urology, Lister Hospital, Stevenage, UK
| | - Arvind Nayak
- Department of Urology, Lister Hospital, Stevenage, UK
| | - Christine Gan
- Department of Urology, Lister Hospital, Stevenage, UK
| | | | - Nikhil Vasdev
- Department of Urology, Lister Hospital, Stevenage, UK.,School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
| | - Rick Popert
- Department of Urology, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Jim Adshead
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
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Berenguer CV, Pereira F, Câmara JS, Pereira JAM. Underlying Features of Prostate Cancer-Statistics, Risk Factors, and Emerging Methods for Its Diagnosis. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:2300-2321. [PMID: 36826139 PMCID: PMC9955741 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30020178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequently occurring type of malignant tumor and a leading cause of oncological death in men. PCa is very heterogeneous in terms of grade, phenotypes, and genetics, displaying complex features. This tumor often has indolent growth, not compromising the patient's quality of life, while its more aggressive forms can manifest rapid growth with progression to adjacent organs and spread to lymph nodes and bones. Nevertheless, the overtreatment of PCa patients leads to important physical, mental, and economic burdens, which can be avoided with careful monitoring. Early detection, even in the cases of locally advanced and metastatic tumors, provides a higher chance of cure, and patients can thus go through less aggressive treatments with fewer side effects. Furthermore, it is important to offer knowledge about how modifiable risk factors can be an effective method for reducing cancer risk. Innovations in PCa diagnostics and therapy are still required to overcome some of the limitations of the current screening techniques, in terms of specificity and sensitivity. In this context, this review provides a brief overview of PCa statistics, reporting its incidence and mortality rates worldwide, risk factors, and emerging screening strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina V. Berenguer
- CQM—Centro de Química da Madeira, NPRG, Campus da Penteada, Universidade da Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Ferdinando Pereira
- SESARAM—Serviço de Saúde da Região Autónoma da Madeira, EPERAM, Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça, Avenida Luís de Camões 6180, 9000-177 Funchal, Portugal
| | - José S. Câmara
- CQM—Centro de Química da Madeira, NPRG, Campus da Penteada, Universidade da Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e Engenharia, Campus da Penteada, Universidade da Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Jorge A. M. Pereira
- CQM—Centro de Química da Madeira, NPRG, Campus da Penteada, Universidade da Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
- Correspondence:
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12
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Mora N, Guiriguet C, Cantenys R, Méndez-Boo L, Marzo-Castillejo M, Benítez M, Fina F, Fàbregas M, Hermosilla E, Mercadé A, Medina M, Coma E. Cancer diagnosis in primary care after second pandemic year in Catalonia: a time-series analysis of primary care electronic health records covering about 5 million people. Fam Pract 2023; 40:183-187. [PMID: 35861148 PMCID: PMC9384533 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmac083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of chronic disease had drastically been reduced due to health care interruptions. The aim of this study is to analyse cancer diagnosis during the last 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Time-series study of cancer diagnoses recorded in primary care settings, using data from the primary care electronic health records from January 2014 to December 2021. We obtained the expected monthly rate per 100,000 inhabitants using a time regression adjusted by trend and seasonality. We additionally compared rates of cancer diagnoses in 2019 with those of 2020 and 2021 using the t-test. We performed the analysis globally, by sex and by type of cancer. RESULTS In 2020, the rate of cancer diagnoses had reduced by -21% compared to 2019 (P < 0.05). Greater reductions were observed during the lockdown in early 2020 (>40%) and with some types of cancers, especially prostate and skin cancers (-29.6% and -26.9%, respectively, P < 0.05). Lung cancers presented statistically non-significant reductions in both years. Cancer diagnosis returned to expected around March 2021, and the rate in 2021 was similar to that of 2019 (overall difference of 0.21%, P = 0.967). However, an 11% reduction was still found when comparing the pandemic months of 2020-2021 with pre-pandemic months. CONCLUSIONS Although primary care cancer diagnoses in 2021 have returned to pre-pandemic levels, missing diagnoses during the last 2 years have not been fully recovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Núria Mora
- Sistemes d'Informació dels Serveis d'Atenció Primària (SISAP), Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carolina Guiriguet
- Sistemes d'Informació dels Serveis d'Atenció Primària (SISAP), Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), Barcelona, Spain.,Equip d'Atenció Primària de Gòtic, Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roser Cantenys
- Sistemes d'Informació dels Serveis d'Atenció Primària (SISAP), Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leonardo Méndez-Boo
- Sistemes d'Informació dels Serveis d'Atenció Primària (SISAP), Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercè Marzo-Castillejo
- Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l'Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Barcelona, Spain.,Unitat de Suport a la Recerca Metropolitana Sud, Direcció d'Atenció Primària Costa de Ponent, Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mència Benítez
- Sistemes d'Informació dels Serveis d'Atenció Primària (SISAP), Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), Barcelona, Spain.,Equip d'Atenció Primària de Gòtic, Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Fina
- Sistemes d'Informació dels Serveis d'Atenció Primària (SISAP), Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Fàbregas
- Sistemes d'Informació dels Serveis d'Atenció Primària (SISAP), Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduardo Hermosilla
- Sistemes d'Informació dels Serveis d'Atenció Primària (SISAP), Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), Barcelona, Spain.,Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l'Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Mercadé
- Sistemes d'Informació dels Serveis d'Atenció Primària (SISAP), Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Medina
- Sistemes d'Informació dels Serveis d'Atenció Primària (SISAP), Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ermengol Coma
- Sistemes d'Informació dels Serveis d'Atenció Primària (SISAP), Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), Barcelona, Spain
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13
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Hood B. Understanding the experiences of cancer patients referred for a clinical trial during the COVID-19 pandemic. Br J Nurs 2023; 32:82-87. [PMID: 36715530 DOI: 10.12968/bjon.2023.32.2.82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic affected cancer patients regardless of the stage of their diagnosis or treatment. AIMS To understand the experiences of cancer patients who were referred for a clinical trial at that time. METHOD Cancer patients who attended their initial research outpatient appointment to discuss the possibility of taking part in a clinical trial were asked to complete the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment questionnaire, and take part in semi-structured interviews. FINDINGS Data indicated that, on average, patients had moderate levels of anxiety. Three major themes emerged from patients' interviews, which gave an insight into what they experienced during this challenging period. CONCLUSION This study gives an insight into the experiences of cancer patients who were referred for a clinical trial at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It illustrated the impact of social distancing and the effect of virus-related fear on cancer patients' mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Hood
- Nurse Consultant in Cancer Research, Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne
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14
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Kurowicki M, Osowiecka K, Szostakiewicz B, Rucińska M, Nawrocki S. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Number of Cancer Patients and Radiotherapy Procedures in the Warmia and Masuria Voivodeship. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:1010-1019. [PMID: 36661726 PMCID: PMC9858600 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30010077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: It was suspected that the COVID-19 pandemic would negatively affect health care, including cancer treatment. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of radiotherapy procedures and patients treated with radical and palliative radiotherapy in Poland. (2) Methods: The study was carried out in Warmia and Masuria voivodeship. The number of procedures and treated patients one year before and in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic were compared. (3) Results: In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of radiotherapy procedures and cancer patients treated with radiotherapy in Warmia and Masuria voivodeship in Poland was stable compared to the period before the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has not affected the ratio of palliative to radical procedures. The percentage of ambulatory and hostel procedures significantly increased with the reduction of inpatient care in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. (4) Conclusion: No significant decrease in patients treated with radiotherapy during the first year of the pandemic in Warmia and Masuria voivodeship in Poland could indicate the rapid adaptation of radiotherapy centers to the pandemic situation. Future studies should be carried out to monitor the situation because the adverse effects of the pandemic may be delayed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Kurowicki
- NU-MED Radiotherapy Center in Elblag, Królewiecka 146, 82-300 Elblag, Poland
| | - Karolina Osowiecka
- Department of Psychology and Sociology of Health and Public Health, School of Public Health, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska 30, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland
| | | | - Monika Rucińska
- Department of Oncology, Collegium Medicum University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Wojska Polskiego 37, 10-228 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Sergiusz Nawrocki
- Department of Oncology, Collegium Medicum University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Wojska Polskiego 37, 10-228 Olsztyn, Poland
- Department of Radiotherapy, Hospital of the Ministry of Internal Affairs with Warmia and Mazury Oncology Center in Olsztyn, Wojska Polskiego 37, 10-228 Olsztyn, Poland
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15
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Trasarti S, Troiano R, Biglietto M, Sorella S, Lisi C, Assanto GM, Bizzoni L, Brunetti GA, Giordano C, Rullo E, Saracino M, Saullo P, Vignetti M, Martelli M, Caronna R. Lymphadenopathies before and during the Pandemic COVID-19: Increasing Incidence of Metastases from Solid Tumors. J Clin Med 2022; 11. [PMID: 36498559 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11236979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Since December 2019, the world has experienced a pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, a virus which spread throughout the world. Anti-COVID19 measures were applied to limit the spread of the infection, affecting normal clinical practice. In 2020, studies on the possible impact of the pandemic considering the screening programs for early diagnosis of cancer were conducted, resulting in a prediction of delayed diagnosis of cancer. We performed a retrospective monocentric study on patients who present with the onset of lymphadenomegalies evaluated at our Hematological Department from February 2019 to October 2021 and undergoing excisional lymph-node biopsy. Three periods were considered: pre-pandemic, first pandemic period and second pandemic period (Group A, B and C). We included 258 patients who underwent a surgical biopsy and received a histological diagnosis. Hematological evaluation of outpatients sent by the general practitioner and surgical biopsies did not decrease among the three groups, despite limitations placed during this pandemic as well as new diagnoses of hematological malignancies. However, the diagnosis of metastatic cancer significantly increased from 2019 (7.8%) to 2021 (22.1%) (p = 0.042). Our data supports the hypothesis that the pandemic affected the national screening programs of early cancer detection.
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16
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Ye PJ, Xi Y, Sun CZ, Lei Q, Li L. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on elderly patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:966011. [PMID: 36212498 PMCID: PMC9539855 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.966011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) strongly affects health care activities in countries around the world. The diagnosis and treatment of cancer have also been involved, and elderly head and neck squamous carcinoma is one of them. This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on elderly patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in our center. Methods This retrospective study analyzed the clinical characteristics of 400 HNSCC patients over 65 years of age, calculated their treatment interruption rates, and compared the time of delayed diagnosis. Results The rate of elderly patients with HNSCC with a delayed diagnosis was higher in the “during COVID-19 pandemic” group (DCOV19 group) than in the “during COVID-19 pandemic” group (BCOV19 group), and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.0017). There was a substantial difference in the rate of treatment interruption between the two groups (p=0.002). Conclusions This is the first study to explore the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on visits and treatment interruptions in elderly patients with HNSCC. The current impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HNSCC treatment has resulted in reductions and delays in diagnosing cancer and providing treatment.
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17
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Ribes J, Pareja L, Sanz X, Mosteiro S, Escribà JM, Esteban L, Gálvez J, Osca G, Rodenas P, Pérez-Sust P, Borràs JM. Cancer diagnosis in Catalonia (Spain) after two years of COVID-19 pandemic: an incomplete recovery. ESMO Open 2022; 7:100486. [PMID: 35714476 PMCID: PMC9197337 DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- J Ribes
- Catalan Pathology Registry, Catalan Cancer Plan, Department of Health of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain; Hospital Cancer Registry Unit, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - L Pareja
- Hospital Cancer Registry Unit, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - X Sanz
- Catalan Pathology Registry, Catalan Cancer Plan, Department of Health of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Mosteiro
- Hospital Cancer Registry Unit, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J M Escribà
- Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain; Hospital Cancer Registry Unit, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - L Esteban
- Catalan Pathology Registry, Catalan Cancer Plan, Department of Health of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Gálvez
- Hospital Cancer Registry Unit, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - G Osca
- Hospital Cancer Registry Unit, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - P Rodenas
- Catalan Electronic Health Record, EHealth Office, Health/Catalan Health Service, Department of Health of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - P Pérez-Sust
- CatSalut Information Systems and Health Department ICT Unit, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J M Borràs
- Catalan Pathology Registry, Catalan Cancer Plan, Department of Health of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
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