Back to Search Start Over

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Number of Cancer Patients and Radiotherapy Procedures in the Warmia and Masuria Voivodeship

Authors :
Marcin Kurowicki
Karolina Osowiecka
Barbara Szostakiewicz
Monika Rucińska
Sergiusz Nawrocki
Source :
Current Oncology; Volume 30; Issue 1; Pages: 1010-1019
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

(1) Background: It was suspected that the COVID-19 pandemic would negatively affect health care, including cancer treatment. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of radiotherapy procedures and patients treated with radical and palliative radiotherapy in Poland. (2) Methods: The study was carried out in Warmia and Masuria voivodeship. The number of procedures and treated patients one year before and in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic were compared. (3) Results: In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of radiotherapy procedures and cancer patients treated with radiotherapy in Warmia and Masuria voivodeship in Poland was stable compared to the period before the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has not affected the ratio of palliative to radical procedures. The percentage of ambulatory and hostel procedures significantly increased with the reduction of inpatient care in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. (4) Conclusion: No significant decrease in patients treated with radiotherapy during the first year of the pandemic in Warmia and Masuria voivodeship in Poland could indicate the rapid adaptation of radiotherapy centers to the pandemic situation. Future studies should be carried out to monitor the situation because the adverse effects of the pandemic may be delayed.

Details

ISSN :
17187729
Volume :
30
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Current Oncology
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....258e550e0c90a9b68d4c46f9f8bcdec9
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol30010077