Auswirkungen der COVID-19-Pandemie auf die Inzidenz und Therapie von Krebserkrankungen

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a serious impact on healthcare worldwide. Ill persons, notably cancer patients, represent a particularly vulnerable group. The COVID-19 pandemic has had and is still having a significant impact on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, both nationally and internationally. Already at the beginning of the pandemic, serious limitations in the diagnosis of cancer and early detection and screening examinations were reported. There have been delays in cancer diagnosis and a significant decrease in the number of cancer cases diagnosed. Patients avoided medical care due to fear of infection. These factors can lead to an increased rate of diagnosis in advanced tumor stages. Restrictions in supply capacities result in delays to cancer treatment. Treatment modifications can influence the course and survival of cancer patients.