Impact of COVID-۱۹ on Treatment in Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma

Coronavirus disease ۲۰۱۹ (COVID-۱۹) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-۲ (SARS-CoV-۲). This pandemic has resulted in a major redistribution of health-care resources, with the treatment strategy advocated for oncology patients was to delay elective procedures. We retrospectively reviewed the impact of the COVID-۱۹ on patients with RCC and their treatment protocol.We retrospectively reviewed the inpatient and outpatient records of all patients presenting to us with renal cell carcinoma during the period March ۲۰۲۰ till end of March ۲۰۲۱.During the study period, a total of ۲۶ patients (۲۱ males and ۵ females) with a mean age of ۵۵.۴۶±۹.۴۴ years, were diagnosed to have an operable renal mass. The mean hospitalization period (۱۵.۱۹±۲.۲۸) increased in the patients that needed to undergo surgery. This delay was due to pre-operative testing using RT-PCR, chest HR-CT, fitness from chest physician and preparation. Overall cost of hospitalization increased in these patients compared to pre-COVID-۱۹ period due to prolonged hospitalization, increased complications, pre-operative COVID-۱۹ testing, using of personal protective gears and nursing care. During the same period ۳ out of ۸ patients who had metastatic disease with positive RT-PCR who are put on targeted therapy and the remaining underwent cytoreductive nephrectomy. The study concludes stating that the patients with RCC seeking treatment during this COVID-۱۹ times face several hurdles in the form of delay in treatment, increased hospitalization, increased testing leading to increased cost of treatment. Long term follow-up is necessary to determine if these factors have affected the outcome in these patients.

کلیدواژه ها:

covid-۱۹ ، mortality ، outcomes ، Renal cell carcinoma ، Hospitalization