Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Oncologic Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer

The goal of this observational study is to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on colorectal cancer (CRC) outcomes, particularly focusing on stage distribution and recurrence-free survival in patients undergoing surgery at eight tertiary care institutions in Korea from 2018 to 2020.

Main Question Does the COVID-19 pandemic lead to more advanced stages of colorectal cancer at diagnosis and higher complication rates during surgery? Is there a significant difference in recurrence-free survival between CRC patients treated before and during the pandemic?

This study found that more patients presented with advanced-stage CRC during the COVID-19 pandemic, with significantly higher rates of tumor-related complications (perforations, abscesses, and preoperative obstructions), as well as an increase in open surgeries and combined resections.

No significant difference in recurrence-free survival was observed between the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods, although postoperative complication rates were higher, especially among rectal cancer patients and those receiving preoperative chemoradiotherapy.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Colorectal Carcinoma COVID 19 COVID-19 Colonic Diseases Colorectal Neoplasms Coronaviridae Infections Coronavirus Infections Digestive System Diseases Digestive System Neoplasms Gastrointestinal Diseases Gastrointestinal Neoplasms Infections Intestinal Diseases Intestinal Neoplasms Lung Diseases Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site Nidovirales Infections Pneumonia Pneumonia, Viral RNA Virus Infections Rectal Diseases Respiratory Tract Diseases Respiratory Tract Infections Virus Diseases

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Asan medical center

Seoul, Songpa, 05505, South Korea

About this study

This observational, population-based, cohort study was conducted in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. It was approved by the regional ethics committee in the Republic of Korea and institutional review boards of the eight participating institutions. Due to the anonymity of the data, the requirement for informed consent was waived.

The study timeline was determined by the phased social distancing measures implemented in the Republic of Korea in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study focused on patients with CRC who underwent surgical treatment from 2018 to 2020. The pre-COVID-19 period extended from 2018 to February 2020, and the COVID-19 period began in March 2020 with the identification of the first COVID-19 case in the Republic of Korea and subsequent government measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

Eight institutions across the Republic of Korea participated in the study, including Asan Medical Center, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Korea University Anam Hospital, Samsung Medical Center, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, and Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital. These institutions are tertiary medical centers, varying in location and size.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer who underwent surgery
in 8 institution including Asan Medical Center, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Korea University Anam Hospital, Samsung Medical Center, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, and Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital

Exclusion criteria

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
Hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC)
Cancer associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Colorectal cancer not proven on biopsy, and pathologies other than adenocarcinoma.
Emergency operation

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

stage distribution in patients who underwent CRC surgery during the pre-COVID-19 period, compared with those who underwent the surgery during the COVID-19 period.

Time frame: At the time the biopsy results were available for patients who underwent surgery between 2018 and 2020 (7 days after surgery).

We aimed to document the pathological stage for each patient based on the biopsy results after surgery and analyze how the stage distribution differed between the pre-COVID and COVID groups.

Secondary outcomes

2-year recurrence free survival (RFS) and surgical complication rate in patients who underwent CRC surgery during the pre-COVID-19 period, compared with those who underwent the surgery during the COVID-19 period.

Time frame: Outcome measures will be assessed at 2 years post-surgery.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

In Ja Park

Other

Collaborators

Chonnam National University Hospital
Gangnam Severance Hospital
Korea University Anam Hospital
Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital
Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital
Samsung Medical Center
Seoul Saint Mary's Hospital

Registry information

Official study title

Impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on Oncologic Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer

Important dates

Study start: 2018
Primary completion: 2020
Study completion: 2024
First posted: Oct 15, 2024
Registry last updated: Oct 15, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed