Decreased overall survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma during the COVID-19 pandemic
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.The COVID-19 pandemic delayed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnoses, leading to more advanced cancer stages and reduced survival for patients. Diagnostic delays during the pandemic impacted HCC patient care and outcomes.
Area Of Science
- Hepatology
- Oncology
- Public Health
Background
- The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare services globally, impacting cancer screening and diagnosis.
- Surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in at-risk liver cirrhosis patients was reduced, leading to fewer HCC diagnoses.
- Tertiary care centers faced challenges in managing cancer patient care during the pandemic.
Purpose Of The Study
- To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis and survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.
- To analyze changes in cancer staging and patient outcomes before and during the pandemic.
- To assess the role of diagnostic delays in HCC patient survival during the COVID-19 era.
Main Methods
- A monocentric retrospective study was conducted.
- Data from 175 patients diagnosed with HCC were analyzed.
- Patient data were compared from two periods: pre-pandemic (March 2018-February 2020) and during the pandemic (March 2020-February 2022).
Main Results
- A higher percentage of patients were diagnosed with advanced-stage HCC during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period.
- Overall survival (OS) was significantly lower for HCC patients diagnosed during the first year of the pandemic.
- Stage-dependent survival did not differ between pre-pandemic and pandemic diagnosis groups, suggesting diagnostic delays were not the primary factor at this center.
Conclusions
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected HCC patient care, including diagnosis and survival.
- Delayed HCC diagnosis during the pandemic was observed in a relevant patient percentage.
- These delays translated into reduced survival rates within the studied HCC patient cohort.
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