2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer (Posters)-EP05.01. Time to Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment in the Era of the COVID-19 Pandemic

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This study analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the time to diagnose and treat lung cancer in the United States. Previous studies from Italy, Canada, and Japan have shown delays in lung cancer diagnosis during the pandemic, with a higher proportion of advanced-stage cases. This study aims to understand the impact on the United States. <br /><br />The researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with lung cancer through bronchoscopic techniques at a large academic medical center. They compared data from the pre-pandemic period (August 2017 to March 2020) to the pandemic period (March 2020 to October 2022). The analysis included demographic characteristics, stage at diagnosis, and time intervals from bronchoscopy to PET scan and treatment decision.<br /><br />The study included 583 patients, with 225 in the pre-pandemic cohort and 359 in the pandemic cohort. Most patients were white and female, and the average age was 67.2 years. The percentage of late-stage cancers was similar between the two cohorts. However, there were differences in time intervals: the median number of days from bronchoscopy to PET scan and treatment decision was higher in the pandemic cohort.<br /><br />Interestingly, this study found that more cases of lung cancer were diagnosed via bronchoscopy during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period, contrary to findings from other countries. The study suggests the need for further research to understand the factors contributing to these differences and the impact of local or national factors on lung cancer diagnosis and treatment during the pandemic. <br /><br />In summary, this study highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lung cancer diagnosis and treatment in the United States. It shows an increase in time intervals for diagnostic tests and treatment decision during the pandemic, but a higher number of diagnoses through bronchoscopy compared to the pre-pandemic period. Further research is needed to explore the reasons behind these findings.

Asset Subtitle

Melinda Hsu

Meta Tag

Speaker Melinda Hsu

Topic Pulmonology & Staging

Keywords

COVID-19 pandemic

lung cancer

diagnosis

treatment

United States

Italy

Canada

Japan

delay

advanced-stage cases