EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE TREATMENT OF RADIATION ONCOLOGY PATIENTS

Aysun Yalci¹, Fatih Sahiner², Umit Savascı¹, Burcu Calıskan Demirkıran¹, Bora Uysal³, Deniz Dogan⁴, Murat Beyzadeoglu⁴

¹University of Health Sciences, Gulhane Medical Faculty, infectous diseases and clinical microbiology, Ankara, Turkey - ²University of Health Sciences, Gulhane Medical Faculty, Medical Microbiology, Ankara, Turkey ^{- 3} University of Health Sciences, Gulhane Medical Faculty, Department of Radiation Oncology, Ankara, Turkey - ⁴University of Health Sciences, Chest Diseases, Ankara, Turkey

Background: Patients undergoing cancer treatment and people with a history of cancer constitute a high-risk patient group in the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the life effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the treatment processes of cancer patients receiving radiotherapy at our hospital's Radiation Oncology Clinic.

Methods: Sociodemographic data, COVID-19 pandemic awareness, vaccination and disease transmission of the Radiation Oncology Clinic’s patients were administered with a written questionnaire that includes the effects of the pandemic on the treatment between 1st and 30th June of 2021. 

Results: 7 (13.2%) of the patients had COVID-19 infection during the treatment processes, the in-home index was 4 (57%) due to contact with the case (p<0.001). 4 of the patients (7.5%) stated that they had experienced disruptions in their treatment processes caused by the health institution and 4 of the patients (7.5%) stated that they had experienced disruptions in their treatment processes caused by personal anxiety and anxiety during the pandemic process. 8 patients (15%) stated that they had concerns that they would receive incomplete treatment due to the pandemic process, while one patient (1.9%) stated that they had received psychological support and psychiatric medication due to this anxiety and fear. 9 patients (17%) stated that the covid-19 pandemic had a negative effect on oncological disease treatment processes.

Conclusion: It is important that the treatment and follow-up of cancer patients, who are a at-risk group for COVID-19 infection, should continue without interruption, accompanied by up-to-date national and international guidelines.