On February 27, 2020, the International Society for the Study of Lung Cancer, the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, a case study that reported two patients from Wuhan, China who recently underwent lung lobectomies for adenocarcinoma and were later found to have COVID-19 at the time of surgery revealed.
Eleven months later, the lung cancer research community gathered almost at the IASLC 2020 World Conference on Lung Cancer Singapore to share several research findings examining the intersection of COVID-19 and lung cancer. Researchers from various countries participated in a press release to examine the link between lung cancer and COVID-19.
The press release will be modeled by IASLC President Dr. Heather Wakelee, head of the Department of Medical Oncology at Stanford University and deputy director of the Stanford Cancer Institute. Lung Cancer Patient and Survivor Advocate Ivy Elkins, MBA, cofounder of EGFR Resisters and member of the IASLC Lung Cancer News (ILCN) Editorial Group, will present insights from the perspective of the advocacy community.
Earlier this year, Ms Elkins co-authored an article for ILCN that reported black patients, indigenous peoples, Pacific island descendants, and Hispanic patients 3.7 times, 3.5 times, 3.1 times, and 2.8 times , individually, more likely to comply with COVID-19, than white patients. These differences cannot be explained by differences in income alone. Therefore, it is very likely that the pandemic will only fill lung cancer health care delivery gaps in those communities that are already spread.
Studies confirm the importance of mental health impact and the importance of support groups
The fear of contracting COVID-19 among lung cancer patients is evident, and three new research studies presented today confirm the vulnerability of lung cancer patients feeling how they deal with the pandemic. Dr. Domenico Galetta, of the Medical Thoracic Oncology Unit of the IRCCS BARI Institute of Oncology in Italy, studied 176 patients with lung and breast cancer, as well as lymphoma, for signs of psychological distress and found that about a quarter report true symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTDS) with women show higher rates compared to men. (Special poster, FP06.04).
Patients with lung cancer have higher incidence compared to the other groups. Clinical risk monitors this condition, so we stress importance [in our abstract] to pay even more attention to the psychological needs of patients. “
Dr. Domenico Galetta, Medical Thoracic Oncology Unit, IRCCS Institute of Oncology, BARI, Italy
Another study conducted by the LUNGevity Foundation in Chicago was similar to the findings of Dr. Galetta. The group studied 302 lung cancer patients about anxiety about access to lung cancer care, patient preparation for care management, and information needs (Abstract 3800).
Overall, 96% of respondents were concerned that the pandemic would affect their cancer care, and 46% said there was a break in lung cancer care, indicating that it was not possible for them to see their doctor. A further 18% said they had more difficulty getting appropriate care, and 45% of respondents are worried about accessing care after a pandemic.
“Our study shows that patients with lung cancer continue to feel vulnerable and ill-equipped to lead cancer care after a placebo. In fact, there are specific factors for patients ( treatment status) and the burden of local COVID-19 cases are important indicators of patient concerns .. Access to health care should be considered both during patient-physician discussions and during systemic-level lung cancer care planning, “according to Jessica Selig, LUNGevity Foundation, Research, Chicago.
At a time when patients are increasingly in need of support services, including mental health support, organizations providing these services report that their facilities have been adversely affected during the year. pandemic.
The Global Lung Cancer Consortium (GLCC) is a partnership of 40 patient groups across 29 countries, dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with lung cancer. The GLCC surveyed its members and found that 64% receive more applications from lung cancer patients than before the pandemic, but 67% had closed or stopped services such as support groups and conferences. GLCC found that 18 per cent of the organizations surveyed installed new programs such as new digital services, including patient calls and online consultations and extending helpline hours and posting new content online.
“Patient advocacy and support groups are providing more support to patients during the pandemic. However, many organizations have seen a reduction in funding, making it more challenging. [continue or increase support programs]. Patient organizations need urgent financial support to continue to meet the needs of greater patients and, for some, to survive, ”said Dr. Matthew Peters, of Concord Hospital, Concord, Australia (Abstract 3384).
Would the pandemic affect access to lung cancer care or a slow diagnosis? One Spanish study suggests that this happened in 2020
A study led by a group led by Dr. Roxana Reyes, of Barcelona Clinic Hospital, Thoracic Oncology Group, Barcelona, data of new cases of lung cancer diagnosed in two periods, during COVID and the same period in 2019, and found reduction in the 38% event during COVID.
Of these, researchers, in the group of NSCLC found that there was more symptomatic and severe disease at diagnosis compared to 2019, with worse outcomes (Abstract 3700).
“During COVID, the number of new cases diagnosed decreased by 38% (43 NSCLC; 19 SCLC), compared to the pre-COVID period (67 NSCLC; 33 SCLC),” Drs. Reyes.
“Among those who were hospitalized, hospital mortality was 44% vs. 17% before COVID.”
TERAVOLT study reveals high COVID-19 mortality rates among patients with thoracic curse but no significant difference by race or ethnicity
Previously reported data on patients with thoracic malignancies who develop COVID-19 have suggested a higher mortality rate compared to the general population and other types of cancer, especially in patients aged 65 or older. older or those patients suffering from active or progressive disease. This confirms the importance of COVID-19 vaccination in this vulnerable patient population, when available.
The TERAVOLT study, a multifactorial, international observation composed of a cross-sectional and long-term cohort component that examined more than 1,000 patients with lung cancer and COVID-19, found that overall mortality still high, and that men are significantly higher in hospitalization and mortality rates compared to women. Importantly, the researchers found no significant differences in COVID-19-related mortality among different racial or ethnic groups, according to Dr. Umit Tapan, of Boston Medical Center in Boston. (Poster P09.18).
Can telemedicine play a role in patients with lung cancer during the pandemic?
While much of the world has shifted to remote work and meaningful meetings, there were concerns about the ability of medicine to accept the limitations caused by COVID-19. The use of telemedicine has been successful, but what role can it play for patients with complex diseases such as lung cancer?
Previous research has shown that patients with lung cancer who follow an exercise regimen before treatment, a process called pretreatment, may increase their chances of survival. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to deliver face-to-face hospital appointments has been significantly reduced. If COVID-19 interrupts these vital cycles in humans, patients may suffer.
However, a study by Stephanie Wynne, of Guy ‘s Cancer Center, NHS Guy Foundation Trust and St. Thomas, London, that meaningful, home-based rehabilitation is possible and could improve pre-surgical physical activity levels and exercise capacity. (Minute 3614).
Source:
International Society for the Study of Lung Cancer