IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON DELAY OF CHILDHOOD CANCER DIAGNOSIS AND THE OUTCOMES IN A PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY DEPARTMENT

OBJECTIVE: Restriction of access to healthcare during COVID-19 pandemic is undoubtedly a major problem for patients with cancer. Although childhood cancers are highly curable, it is obvious that diagnostic and treatment disruptions will lead to poor Results. In this study we investigated the effects of pandemic on diagnosis and treatment delays of children with cancer along with their consequences. METHODOLOGY: We searched all pediatric patients treated for cancer between March 2020 and January 2022 for COVID-19 infection. Data were collected collected from medical files of patients diagnosed with COVID-19, confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), who received active antineoplastic treatment. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients developed COVID-19 infection at different stages of their anticancer treatment. Twenty-five had an asymptomatic COVID-19 infection, twenty-six had mild symptoms, three had moderate symptoms and four had severe disease. All of them recovered from COVID-19 infection. Chemotherapy courses were continued during active infection in four patients and interrupted in other patients. CONCLUSION: While strict measures are required to control the pandemic, patients with severe critical illness such as cancer should be carefully evaluated and treatment delays that may have vital consequences should be avoided. In pediatric patients with cancer whom infected by COVID-19, continuation of anticancer treatment may be considered by evaluating the clinical status of the patient.