Breast Cancer Surgeries in (COVID - 19) Pandemic

 

Abstract

The aim of this study is to provide an insight into the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the breast cancer surgical field in our setup. We will summarize the protection measures adapted over the time span of COVID-19 pandemic. We will also discuss the decision to prioritize patients based on tumor biology, stage and phase of treatment, and the effects of COVID-19 on patients in terms of morbidity and death. In addition, we are going to discuss new approaches of communication between patients and healthcare workers.

Keywords: Breast surgical (surgery or surgical procedure) – Prioritizing sufferers –COVID-19pandemic–Tumor biology –Morbidity and mortality –Communication

Introduction

A significant concern has risen around the globe due to the corona virus disease regarding healthcare safety. Curfews, social distancing and health facility avoidance have reduced routine controls and screening programs (Yao, K. A. 2020). Patients with breast cancer are more likely to experience severe COVID-19 symptoms. Over the route of the pandemic, a few new algorithms were published for breast cancer treatment. Most of the algorithms recommended suspending surgical treatment for low-risk sufferers due to the contamination chances in hospitals (J.C.-Y. Fann et al, 2020). Furthermore, it was recommended that screening and ordinary diagnostic imaging be postponed to a later date. Surgery is a critical treatment for most breast cancer patients (Van Diest, P. J 2021). Delaying surgical treatment can potentially result in cancer progression or reduce a patient's chance (suggestion: likelihood) of having breast-preserving surgery (Chan, C. W. 2020). This article aims to scan the pandemic period by thoroughly analyzing its impact on breast cancer patients and studying the development of new diagnoses and treatment strategies for individuals with breast cancer in our health facility.

Materials and Methods

 

Study Design and Data collection

In this study, we obtained the required information and follow up data from histologically confirmed breast cancer patients on a standardized and structured questionnaire. Information was recorded for different factors including personal, family, disease history and ethnicity of each candidate (J. S. J., & Chan, C. W. (2020). Data was collected for patient Shaukat Khanum Cancer Memorial Hospital and Research center, who underwent breast surgery for breast cancer in April 2020 to June 2020. A total of 258 patients were enrolled in this statistical analysis.

Statistical Analysis

Data was collected, organized, and presented as frequency distributions and it was analyzed using XLStat Version 2019 (RED Cap Consortium 2019). The χ2 test was used to compare proportions and correlations were determined between education, occupation, and breast cancer awareness. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results and Discussion:

A total of 292 patients were certified for the analysis in which 206 sufferers (70.5%) underwent more breast cancer surgeries (Nakanishi T, et al, 2020). Only 10 of them (4.9%) have been diagnosed to be COVID-19 virus advantageous on recurring pre-operative RT-PCR check earlier than non-compulsory surgeries (Sapra, L., 2020). All were asymptomatic, obtained home-primarily based care via telecommunication and have been operated on later when the check turned out negative. None of them developed any complications post-operatively. Another organization of 86 sufferers (29.5%) had been referred for Neoadjuvant/Systemic chemotherapy where in COVID-19 contamination was detected in best 4 sufferers (4.6%) at the same time as receiving cycles (Inbar Levkovich et al., 2021). Two patients showed signs and symptoms of cough and fever consequently hospitalized but did not require Intensive Care Unit admission while the other two affected people were asymptomatic and isolated at home (Diego. E., 2020). All sufferers recovered well and chemotherapy was performed once more after negative RT-PCR test. No apparent deaths were reported.

Conclusions

This COVID-19 era has set new demanding situations in healthcare however in our experience, most cancers surgical procedures can be utilized without any problem of making sufferers more susceptible to contracting this infection by observing full SOPs in a country with scarce assets like ours in which all clinical supplies had been restrained, limited and hugely laid low with COVID-19.

By: Sonia Sharrif

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