Article Text
Abstract
Objectives The objective is to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the care of gynecologic oncology patients.
Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of all gynecology oncology new patients treated at Brasilia’s University Hospital - Brazil. We compared to periods: pre-COVID-19 (March 2019 to February 2020) and during COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020 to February 2021).
Results There was a 53% reduction in patients with gynecological cancer undergoing treatment at our hospital. The total of surgeries performed was 40 pre and 18 during the pandemic period, a reduction in the surgical volume by 55%. The most operated tumor in the pre-pandemic period was cervix and during was an equal number of surgeries for cervix, endometrial and ovarian cancer. Admissions for chemotherapy or radiotherapy also decreased by 52%. A total of 78 patients underwent cancer treatment before and 37 during the pandemic. The most frequently treated tumor is cervical cancer, with 53 cases in the pre and 26 during the pandemic, followed by ovarian cancer with 14 cases before and only two during the same period. The median waiting time between diagnosis and surgery was 4.44 days longer during the pandemic, as well as the median time to start chemo and radiotherapy was also longer during the pandemic period.
Conclusions We observed a significant decrease in the number of gynecological cancer patients undergoing treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results will help health professionals to understand the indirect consequences of the pandemic and the role of women’s health care services in minimizing these consequences.