| Popis: |
Background: Since December 2019, China has experienced the public health emergency of coronavirus disease, which has expanded globally and is impacting the care of cancer patients. This study evaluated the impact of the pandemic on colorectal cancer (CRC) patients at our center and aimed to share lessons learned with clinics currently experiencing this impact. Methods: We retrospectively collected data on CRC patients admitted between January 1, 2020 and May 3, 2020; the control group comprised patients admitted between January 1, 2019 and May 3, 2019. Results: During the pandemic, outpatient volumes decreased significantly, especially among nonlocal and elderly patients, whereas the number of patients who received chemotherapy and surgery were maintained. During the pandemic, 710 CRC patients underwent curative enterectomy. The proportion of laparoscopic surgery was 49.4%, which was significantly higher than the 39.5% patients who received a laparoscopic surgery during the same period in 2019. The proportion of major complication during the pandemic was not significantly different from that of the control group. The mean hospital stay was significantly longer than that of the control group. Conclusions: CRC patients who are confirmed to be infection-free can receive routine treatment. Using online medical counseling and appropriate identification, treatment and follow-up was effectively maintained. Adjuvant and palliative chemotherapy should not be discontinued. Endoscopic polypectomy, elective, palliative, and multidisciplinary surgeries can be postponed, whereas curative surgery should be performed. For elderly CRC patients, endoscopic surgery and neoadjuvant radiotherapy are recommended.Trial registration: retrospectively registered |
