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01-03-2022 | Breast Cancer | Breast

Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown in France on the diagnosis and staging of breast cancers in a tertiary cancer centre

Authors: Pierre-Antoine Linck, Cassandre Garnier, Marie-Pierre Depetiteville, Gaëtan MacGrogan, Simone Mathoulin-Pélissier, Nathalie Quénel-Tueux, Hélène Charitansky, Martine Boisserie-Lacroix, Foucauld Chamming’s

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 3/2022

Abstract

Objectives

Due to COVID-19, a lockdown took place between March 17 and May 1, 2020, in France. This study evaluates the impact of the lockdown on the diagnosis and staging of breast cancers in a tertiary cancer centre.

Methods

Our database was searched for all consecutive invasive breast cancers diagnosed in our institution during the lockdown (36 working days), during equivalent periods of 36 working days before and after lockdown and a reference period in 2019. The number and staging of breast cancers diagnosed during and after lockdown were compared to the pre-lockdown and reference periods. Tumour maximum diameters were compared using the Mann–Whitney test. Proportions of tumour size categories (T), ipsilateral axillary lymph node invasion (N) and presence of distant metastasis (M) were compared using Fisher’s exact test.

Results

Compared to the reference period (n = 40 in average), the number of breast cancers diagnosed during lockdown (n = 32) decreased by 20% but increased by 48% after the lockdown (n = 59). After the lockdown, comparatively to the reference period, breast cancers were more often symptomatic (86% vs 57%; p = 0.001) and demonstrated bigger tumour sizes (p = 0.0008), the rates of small tumours (T1) were reduced by 38%, locally advanced cancers (T3, T4) increased by 80% and lymph node invasion increased by 64%.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 lockdown was associated with a 20% decrease in the number of diagnosed breast cancers. Because of delayed diagnosis, breast cancers detected after the lockdown had poorer prognosis with bigger tumour sizes and higher rates of node invasion.

Key Points

• The number of breast cancer diagnosed in a large tertiary cancer centre in France decreased by 20% during the first COVID-19 lockdown.

• Because of delayed diagnosis, breast cancers demonstrated bigger tumour size and more frequent axillary lymph node invasion after the lockdown.

• In case of a new lockdown, breast screening programme and follow-up examinations should not be suspended and patients with clinical symptoms should be encouraged to seek attention promptly.

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Title: Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown in France on the diagnosis and staging of breast cancers in a tertiary cancer centre
Authors: Pierre-Antoine Linck
Cassandre Garnier
Marie-Pierre Depetiteville
Gaëtan MacGrogan
Simone Mathoulin-Pélissier
Nathalie Quénel-Tueux
Hélène Charitansky
Martine Boisserie-Lacroix
Foucauld Chamming’s
Publication date: 01-03-2022
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer
COVID-19
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 3/2022
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-021-08264-3

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown in France on the diagnosis and staging of breast cancers in a tertiary cancer centre

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Key Points

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Key Points

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