Ovarian cancer diagnoses decreased during COVID-19 pandemic years at a Swiss center.
Photo by Brian McGowan / Unsplash
Key Takeaway
Consider that COVID-19 pandemic years were associated with fewer ovarian cancer diagnoses but no change in key oncological outcomes at one center.
This retrospective cohort study examined 218 patients diagnosed with primary ovarian cancer or borderline ovarian tumor at Bern University Hospital in Switzerland. The study compared patients diagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic years (2020–2021) with those diagnosed in 2019 and 2022.
Primary ovarian cancer diagnoses decreased during the pandemic, with 52 cases in 2019, 32 in 2020, 39 in 2021, and 57 in 2022. Borderline ovarian tumor diagnoses remained stable, with 10 cases in 2019, 2020, and 2022, and 8 in 2021. FIGO stage distribution was unchanged (p= .520).
Cytoreductive surgery in advanced-stage ovarian cancer occurred in 84% of 131 patients, with no significant changes over time (p= .838). Interval debulking surgery increased significantly during the pandemic years (p= .030). Complete cytoreduction remained constant at 89% of cases (p= .355), and chemotherapy administration was unchanged at 94% of advanced-stage patients (p= .139).
Oncological outcomes showed no increased risk of recurrence (p= .142) or death (p= .587) for patients diagnosed during the pandemic years. Safety data were not reported. The study was limited by its retrospective design and single-center setting, and follow-up duration was not reported. Practice relevance was not reported.
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View Original Abstract ↓
IntroductionThe outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in 2020 and the resulting lockdowns had a major impact on general healthcare provision. This study aimed to investigate whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected diagnosis, treatment, and survival of ovarian cancer patients at our institution.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included patients diagnosed with primary ovarian cancer and borderline ovarian tumor (BOT) at Bern University Hospital between January 2019 and December 2022. Clinical data were collected in a standardized database.ResultsA total of 218 patients were included. Annual distribution of primary ovarian cancer diagnoses was 52 (2019), 32 (2020), 39 (2021), and 57 (2022), while borderline ovarian tumor diagnoses remained stable: 10 (2019, 2020, 2022) and 8 (2021). FIGO stage distribution remained unchanged during the study period (p= .520). Among 131 patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer, 84% underwent cytoreductive surgery without significant changes over time (p= .838). However, a shift in surgical strategy was observed with interval debulking surgery increasing significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic years (2020 – 2021) (p= .030). Complete cytoreduction was achieved in 89% of cases, remaining constant (p= .355). Chemotherapy was administered to 94% of advanced-stage patients, with no changes during the COVID-19 pandemic years (p= .139). Cox regression analysis revealed no increased risk of recurrence (p= .142) or death (p= .587) for patients diagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic years (2020–2021) compared to those in 2019 and 2022.ConclusionWhile BOT diagnoses remained stable throughout the COVID-19 pandemic years, primary ovarian cancer diagnoses decreased in 2020 and 2021. No shift in disease stage was observed. However, more patients received interval debulking surgery during the pandemic. Overall, the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak did not negatively affect the oncological outcomes of patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer at our institution.
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