Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Delays in Chemoembolization on the Survival of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Background and Aims. COVID-19 has led to potential delays in liver cancer treatment, which may have undesirable effects on the prognosis of patients. We aimed to quantify the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent transarterial chemoemb...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Hindawi Limited
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/8114732 |
| _version_ | 1797842514557796352 |
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| author | Kittipitch Bannangkoon Keerati Hongsakul Teeravut Tubtawee Phurich Janjindamai |
| author_facet | Kittipitch Bannangkoon Keerati Hongsakul Teeravut Tubtawee Phurich Janjindamai |
| author_sort | Kittipitch Bannangkoon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background and Aims. COVID-19 has led to potential delays in liver cancer treatment, which may have undesirable effects on the prognosis of patients. We aimed to quantify the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Methods. A retrospective study was conducted in patients with HCC who underwent TACE at a tertiary care center during the prelockdown (March to July 2019) and lockdown (March to July 2020) periods. Demographic data, tumor characteristics, functional status, and vital status were collected from the hospital medical records. The endpoints were TACE interval, treatment response, and survival after TACE. Cox proportional hazards regression determined the significant preoperative factors influencing survival. Results. Compared to prelockdown, a significant delay occurred during the lockdown in repeated TACE treatments (76.7 vs. 63.5 days, P=0.007). The trend suggested a significant decrease in patients with HCC in the repeated TACE group (−33.3%). After screening, 145 patients were included (prelockdown (n = 87), lockdown (n = 58)). There was no significant difference in the 1-month objective response rate between the prelockdown and lockdown groups (65.5% vs. 64.4%, P=1.00). During follow-up, 56 (64.4%) and 34 (58.6%) deaths occurred in the prelockdown and lockdown groups, respectively (P=0.600). Multivariate analysis revealed no association between the lockdown group and decreased survival (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.57–1.35, P=0.555). Conclusions. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on liver cancer care resulted in significant decreases and delays in repeated TACE treatments in 2020 compared to 2019. However, treatment delays did not seem to significantly impact survival. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T16:49:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-83049f4820ed41169ba38d28a5862d48 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2291-2797 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T16:49:10Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Hindawi Limited |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology |
| spelling | doaj.art-83049f4820ed41169ba38d28a5862d482023-04-22T00:07:15ZengHindawi LimitedCanadian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology2291-27972023-01-01202310.1155/2023/8114732Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Delays in Chemoembolization on the Survival of Patients with Hepatocellular CarcinomaKittipitch Bannangkoon0Keerati Hongsakul1Teeravut Tubtawee2Phurich Janjindamai3Department of RadiologyDepartment of RadiologyDepartment of RadiologyDepartment of RadiologyBackground and Aims. COVID-19 has led to potential delays in liver cancer treatment, which may have undesirable effects on the prognosis of patients. We aimed to quantify the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Methods. A retrospective study was conducted in patients with HCC who underwent TACE at a tertiary care center during the prelockdown (March to July 2019) and lockdown (March to July 2020) periods. Demographic data, tumor characteristics, functional status, and vital status were collected from the hospital medical records. The endpoints were TACE interval, treatment response, and survival after TACE. Cox proportional hazards regression determined the significant preoperative factors influencing survival. Results. Compared to prelockdown, a significant delay occurred during the lockdown in repeated TACE treatments (76.7 vs. 63.5 days, P=0.007). The trend suggested a significant decrease in patients with HCC in the repeated TACE group (−33.3%). After screening, 145 patients were included (prelockdown (n = 87), lockdown (n = 58)). There was no significant difference in the 1-month objective response rate between the prelockdown and lockdown groups (65.5% vs. 64.4%, P=1.00). During follow-up, 56 (64.4%) and 34 (58.6%) deaths occurred in the prelockdown and lockdown groups, respectively (P=0.600). Multivariate analysis revealed no association between the lockdown group and decreased survival (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.57–1.35, P=0.555). Conclusions. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on liver cancer care resulted in significant decreases and delays in repeated TACE treatments in 2020 compared to 2019. However, treatment delays did not seem to significantly impact survival.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/8114732 |
| spellingShingle | Kittipitch Bannangkoon Keerati Hongsakul Teeravut Tubtawee Phurich Janjindamai Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Delays in Chemoembolization on the Survival of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology |
| title | Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Delays in Chemoembolization on the Survival of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma |
| title_full | Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Delays in Chemoembolization on the Survival of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma |
| title_fullStr | Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Delays in Chemoembolization on the Survival of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Delays in Chemoembolization on the Survival of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma |
| title_short | Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Delays in Chemoembolization on the Survival of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma |
| title_sort | effect of covid 19 pandemic related delays in chemoembolization on the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/8114732 |
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