Abstract 1691P
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly spread in Europe and France. Cancer patients were identified at higher risk of infection and evolution to severe forms, especially those undergoing active treatment. Academic and experts’ recommendations proposed to protect cancer units and prioritize cancer treatment. In the same time, French authorities implemented a national lockdown from march 16, 2020. Most anti-cancer institutions have modified their organization, trying to combine cancer units COVID-free sanctuarization, continuity in priority care and precautionary principle. The impact of COVID-19 outbreak on global cancer care has not been formally evaluated.
Methods
Data of oncological practice at the Antoine Lacassagne Center (mild-COVID-19 incidence rate area) were recorded (per week) for 3 periods, based on the timing of french lockdown: before (Jan-1 to Mar-15), during (Mar-16 to May-10) and after the end of lockdown (May-11 to Jul-12). We collected the number of chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions, surgery procedures (senology and gynecology), blood products transfusions, on-site / telemedicine visits and inclusions in clinical trials.
Results
Preliminary results compare period 1 (Jan-1 to Mar-15) to interim period 2 (Mar-16 to Apr-19, available data at the time of submission). Variation of practice is detailed in the table. Activities were negatively impacted by the lockdown, mostly reconstructive surgery (-90%), on-site oncology visits (-73%) and clinical research (-69%). In parallel, telemedicine visits were multiplied by 100. Table: 1691P
| Mean number of sessions or procedures (per week) | Variation (%) | ||
| Period 1 (Jan-1 to Mar-15) | Period 2 (Mar-16 to Apr-19) | ||
| Chemotherapy | 396 | 351 | -11% |
| Radiotherapy | 914 | 631 | -31% |
| Surgery (oncological) | 21 | 12 | -43% |
| Surgery (onco-plastic) | 8 | 0.8 | -90% |
| Blood products transfusions | 89 | 73 | -18% |
| Inclusions in clinical trials | 35 | 11 | -69% |
| Visits (total) | 986 | 546 | -45% |
| On-site visits | 983 | 233 | -76% |
| Telemedicine visits | 3 | 313 | +10 333% |
Conclusions
The evaluation of practice variation for cancer care is essential to understand the real impact of COVID-19 outbreak on global cancer management, so as to get prepared to further epidemic waves (for ex. implementation of telehealth innovations) or long-term consequences on cancer outcome.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
D. Borchiellini: Advisory/Consultancy, Research grant/Funding (institution): Astellas; Astra Zeneca; MSD; Novartis; Advisory/Consultancy, Research grant/Funding (institution), Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: BMS; Janssen; Pfizer; Roche; Research grant/Funding (institution): Calithera; Exelixis; Infinity; Merck KGaA; Advisory/Consultancy: Ipsen; Sanofi. J-M. Hannoun-Levi: Advisory/Consultancy: Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG. E. Francois: Honoraria (self): Amgen; MSD; Novartis; Honoraria (self), Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Servier; Advisory/Consultancy, Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Roche. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.