Repeat Computed Tomography Simulation among Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Experiencing Delayed Radiation Therapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background. Delays in initiation and interruptions the radiotherapeutic management of head neck malignancies have radiobiologic implications allowing for accelerated repopulation surviving tumor cells. This phenomenon has been demonstrated to translate into poorer survival outcomes control, typically manifesting as progression that may require a new radiotherapy set-up. Such adjustments are accounted with repeat computed tomography (CT) simulation which entails increased resource costs, patient inconvenience further treatment delays. Even maximal efforts minimize delays, real-world effects current pandemic on logistics compliance daily remain significant. A comparison incidence before during is thus investigated, CT utilized surrogate. Objective. study aims compare among patients cancer treated COVID-19 pandemic. Various patient- and/or treatment-related factors, including delay, associate likelihood also investigated this review. Methods. Medical radiation records who underwent were retrospectively reviewed prospectively followed up until completion treatment. Results. total 72 included, an average age 45 years (range: 7–82). The median time was 37 days (SD ± 37, range 0–278) from initial similar between groups (p = 0.774). Repeat observed more frequently group (76.2% vs 23.8%, p 0.007). Patients had delayed 0.005, OR 13.59; CI 2.23–82.87) or 0.004, 23.21; 2.79–193.29) higher simulation. Conclusion. population six months significantly associated Strategies should be employed prevent disease subset burden resources preserve oncologic outcomes.