ABCL-334: Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Treatment Duration in Curable Cancers: Comparison of Patients with DLBCL Treated Before and During: A Retrospective Record-Based Study

CONTEXT: Treatment delays can compromise outcomes in aggressive hematological malignancies primarily treated with chemotherapy. Due to the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare systems, there is a potential risk of delayed therapy of various diseases, including cancers. However, efforts were made in our center (despite being a COVID-19-designated hospital) to ensure that “curative-intent” treatment for cancers should not be affected, and hence, the diagnostic (pathology, imaging) and therapeutic services for hematological cancers were continued. In this study we analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on diagnosis and treatment procedures and survival outcomes among patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). OBJECTIVE: To compare treatment duration among patients with DLBCL during the COVID-19 period with those treated prior to the onset of the pandemic. DESIGN: Retrospective record-based study. SETTING: Regional cancer center, JIPMER, India. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: The medical records of treatment naïve DLBCL patients registered between January 2019 and December 2019 (Group 1; pre-pandemic) and January 2020 until December 2020 (Group 2: during pandemic) were accessed, and the following data were collected: baseline characteristics, time from diagnosis to treatment, time for completion of planned chemotherapy, and proportion of patients defaulting treatment. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable, as it is a retrospective record-based study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary endpoint was treatment duration during the COVID-19 period with those treated prior to the onset of the pandemic. RESULTS: A total of 67 patients were identified (Group 1: 46 (69%) Group 2: 21 (31%). The median age of patients registered in 2019 and 2020 were 50 (39–64) years and 44 (34–62) years, respectively. The duration between diagnosis to start of treatment for patients in 2019 and 2020 was 28 (13–43) days and 19 (11-40) days respectively. The duration between start of treatment to end of treatment for patients in 2019 and 2020 was 119 (107–137) days and 121 (101–145) days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in treatment duration among DLBCL patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Treatment completion rates were similar.