Abstract 25P
Background
The COVID-19 outbreak has correlated with the disruption of screening activities and diagnostic assessments. Endometrial cancer is one of the most common gynecological malignancies and it is often detected at an early stage because it frequently produces symptoms. Here, we aim to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on patterns of presentation and treatment of endometrial cancer.
Methods
This is a retrospective study involving 54 centers in Italy. We evaluated patterns of presentation and treatment of endometrial cancer patients before (period 1: March 1, 2019, to February 29, 2020) and during (period 2: April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021) the COVID-19 outbreak.
Results
Charts of 5,164 endometrial cancer patients were retrieved from 54 Italian centers over the whole study period. Overall, 2,718 and 2,446 women with endometrial cancer received treatment in periods 1 and 2, respectively. The prevalence of patients aged > 65 years was similar between the two study periods (1,400 (51.5%) in period 1 vs. 1,248 (51.0%); p=0.726). Similarly, the prevalence of elderly patients (i.e. aged >85 years) was comparable between groups (189 (6.9%) vs. 180 (7.4%); p=0.572). Considering data on the histological characterization, the prevalence of endometrioid FIGO grade 1, 2, and 3 was consistent over the study period (p=0.855). However, the prevalence of non-endometrioid endometrial cancer was lower in period 1 than in period 2 (15.6% vs. 17.9%; p=0.032). Surgery was the mainstay of treatment before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, 2,539 and 2,286 women received surgery in period 1 and 2, respectively (93.4% vs. 93.5%; p=0.948). Primary conservative attempts was performed in 72 (2.7%) and 56 (2.3%) patients in period 1 and 2, respectively (p=0.406). Overall, 1,280 (50.4%) and 1,021 (44.7%) patients had no adjuvant therapy in period 1 and 2, respectively (p<0.001). Adjuvant therapy use has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.001).
Conclusions
Our data suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the characteristics and patterns of care of endometrial cancer patients. These findings highlight the need to implement healthcare services during the pandemic.
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.