Aims: We analysed the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (COVID-19) on the quality of breast cancer care in certified EUSOMA (European Society of Breast Cancer Spe-cialists) breast centres.Materials and methods: The results of the EUSOMA quality indicators were compared, based on pseudonymised individual records, for the periods 1 March 2020 till 30 June 2020 (first COVID-19 peak in most countries in Europe) and 1 March 2019 till 30 June 2019. In addition, a questionnaire was sent to the participating Centres for investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the organisation and the quality of breast cancer care.Results: Forty-five centres provided data and 31 (67%) responded to the questionnaire. The total number of new cases dropped by 19% and there was a small significant higher tumour (p = 0.003) and lymph node (p = 0.011) stage at presentation. Comparing quality indicators (12,736 patients) by multivariable analysis showed mostly non-significant differences. Surgery could be performed in a COVID-free zone in 94% of the centres, COVID testing was per-formed before surgery in 96% of the centres, and surgical case load was reduced in 55% of the centres. Modifications of the indications for neoadjuvant endocrine therapy, chemo-therapy, and targeted therapy were necessary in 23%, 23%, and 10% of the centres; changes in indications for adjuvant endocrine, chemo-, targeted, immune, and radiotherapy in 3%, 19%, 3%, 6%, and 10%, respectively.Conclusion: Quality of breast cancer care was well maintained in EUSOMA breast centres during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A small but significantly higher tumour and lymph node stage at presentation was observed.

The impact of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic on the quality of breast cancer care in EUSOMA-certified breast centres / P. van Dam, M. Tomatis, A. Ponti, L. Marotti, C. Aristei, L. Biganzoli, M.J. Cardoso, K.L. Cheung, G. Curigliano, J. De Vries, D. Santini, F. Sardanelli, I.T. Rubio, V. Baldini, B. Ballardini, J. Berger, M. Berliere, A. Bonetti, M. Bortul, B. Bussels, K. Cagossi, G.A. Epifanio Castiglione, C. Cedolini, A.J. Esgueva Colmenarejo, F. Corsi, E. Cretella, G. Fogazzi, L. Fortunato, J.L. Fougo, D. Generali, P.F. Gouveia, S. Grossi, A. Huscher, M. Kaelides, E. Kuhn, C. Levy, S. Massarut, F. Meani, S. Montemezzi, A. Musolino, I. Negreiros, R.O. Bagge, G. Pagani, A.C. Peterko, A. Prove, H. Roelstraete, M. Roncella, G. Saguatti, D. Sarlos, A. Sgarella, G. Staelens, M. Taffurelli, G. Tazzioli, C. Tinterri, M. Vassilieff, D. Verhoeven. - In: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER. - ISSN 1879-0852. - 177:(2022 Dec), pp. 72-79. [10.1016/j.ejca.2022.09.027]

The impact of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic on the quality of breast cancer care in EUSOMA-certified breast centres

G. Curigliano;F. Sardanelli;V. Baldini
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
F. Corsi
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
E. Kuhn
Membro del Collaboration Group
;
2022

Abstract

Aims: We analysed the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (COVID-19) on the quality of breast cancer care in certified EUSOMA (European Society of Breast Cancer Spe-cialists) breast centres.Materials and methods: The results of the EUSOMA quality indicators were compared, based on pseudonymised individual records, for the periods 1 March 2020 till 30 June 2020 (first COVID-19 peak in most countries in Europe) and 1 March 2019 till 30 June 2019. In addition, a questionnaire was sent to the participating Centres for investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the organisation and the quality of breast cancer care.Results: Forty-five centres provided data and 31 (67%) responded to the questionnaire. The total number of new cases dropped by 19% and there was a small significant higher tumour (p = 0.003) and lymph node (p = 0.011) stage at presentation. Comparing quality indicators (12,736 patients) by multivariable analysis showed mostly non-significant differences. Surgery could be performed in a COVID-free zone in 94% of the centres, COVID testing was per-formed before surgery in 96% of the centres, and surgical case load was reduced in 55% of the centres. Modifications of the indications for neoadjuvant endocrine therapy, chemo-therapy, and targeted therapy were necessary in 23%, 23%, and 10% of the centres; changes in indications for adjuvant endocrine, chemo-, targeted, immune, and radiotherapy in 3%, 19%, 3%, 6%, and 10%, respectively.Conclusion: Quality of breast cancer care was well maintained in EUSOMA breast centres during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A small but significantly higher tumour and lymph node stage at presentation was observed.
Breast neoplasms; COVID-19; Data warehousing; Healthcare; Quality indicators; SARS-CoV-2; Surveys and questionnaires
Settore MED/18 - Chirurgia Generale
Settore MED/06 - Oncologia Medica
Settore MED/08 - Anatomia Patologica
dic-2022
12-ott-2022
Article (author)
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/946378
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