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Lung CT Segmentation to Identify Consolidations and Ground Glass Areas for Quantitative Assesment of SARS-CoV Pneumonia
Published on: December 19, 2020
COVID-19 and lung cancer
Laura Melocchi1, Maria Cecilia Mengoli2, Giuseppe Bogina3
1Pathology Unit, Services Area, Fondazione Poliambulanza Hospital Institute, Brescia, Italy.
The COVID-19 pandemic reduced lung cancer diagnosis and screening. However, examining lung cancer surgical specimens from SARS-CoV-2 patients revealed early COVID-19 histologic features.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted global health services, impacting cancer screening and diagnosis.
- Lung cancer screening rates declined substantially (up to 56%), leading to delayed diagnoses and advanced-stage presentation in many regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lung cancer diagnosis and treatment.
- To identify early histologic features of SARS-CoV-2 infection in lung cancer surgical specimens.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of lung cancer screening and diagnosis rates before and during the pandemic.
- Histopathologic examination of surgical lung cancer specimens from patients co-infected with SARS-CoV-2.
Main Results:
- A global decline in lung cancer screening and diagnosis was observed, with some health systems mitigating these effects.
- Early SARS-CoV-2 infection in lung cancer surgical samples showed characteristic histologic changes, including hyperplastic pneumocytes, fibrin exudate, inflammatory infiltrates, and absence of hyaline membranes.
- Some health systems demonstrated increased use of stereotactic radiation for early-stage lung cancer.
Conclusions:
- The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected lung cancer diagnosis and care worldwide.
- Histologic examination of lung cancer surgical specimens provides insights into early SARS-CoV-2 infection patterns.
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