AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightThe overall mortality of those who experienced treatment delays after the announcement of the COVID-19 pandemic was no different from those before.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Objectives: COVID-19 pandemic affects the health care systems in the whole world. In this study, we try to evaluate the prognostic effect of the chemotherapy delay or cessation of the patients due to hospital fear and social regulations. Methods: Patients on active cancer treatment were retrospectively analyzed. The age, gender, diagnosis, chemotherapy type, rendezvous, and coming dates were recorded. Results: Before March 11, 2020, 52 patients experienced four delayed chemotherapy treatments (3.7%), compared to 43 delayed chemotherapy treatments (39.8%9) in 107 patients (39.8%) after the first case of COVID-19 was recorded in Turkey and restrictions started to be applied. No reason was given for the delayed treatments of 20 patients who did not show up for their chemotherapy appointments. The overall mortality of those who experienced treatment delays after the announcement of the COVID-19 pandemic was no different from those before. Conclusion: The non-specific regulations and declarations confused patients and prevented their access to their much-needed treatment. Although the regulations were detrimental to chemotherapy adherence, the overall mortality between groups did not differ.