Biology (Feb 2023)

The Influence of COVID-19 on New Lung Cancer Diagnoses, by Stage and Treatment, in Northern Italy

  • Lucia Mangone,
  • Francesco Marinelli,
  • Isabella Bisceglia,
  • Angelina Filice,
  • Lisa De Leonibus,
  • Cristian Rapicetta,
  • Massimiliano Paci

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12030390
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 3
p. 390

Abstract

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The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on new cancer diagnoses. This study aims to evaluate the implications of the lockdown period on new lung cancer diagnoses in northern Italy. We compared 2020 with 2019 cancer registry data, reporting the variations by age, stage, and treatments. In 2020, 303 lung cancer cases were registered, 21 fewer than in 2019. Cases fell in men (−31 patients, 9.6%) but not in women (+10 patients, +3.1%). A significant drop in stage I from 19.8% to 12.9% (p p p p p p = 0.46), while chemotherapy increased (17.6% vs. 34.3%; p < 0.01) for all stages. During the pandemic, new lung cancer diagnoses dropped only in men. The reorganization of health services has ensured a decrease in surgical interventions (due to the unavailability of operating rooms) counterbalanced by an increase in chemotherapy.

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