Background The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has overwhelmed the capacity of healthcare systems worldwide. Cancer patients, in particular, are vulnerable and oncology departments drastically needed to modify their care systems and established new priorities. We evaluated the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the activity of a single cancer center. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of (i) volumes of oncological activities (2020 vs 2019), (ii) patients’ perception rate of the preventive measures, (iii) patients’ SARS-CoV-2 infections, clinical signs thereof, and (iv) new diagnoses made during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Results As compared with a similar time frame in 2019, the overall activity in total numbers of outpatient chemotherapy administrations and specialist visits was not statistically different ( P = .961 and P = .252), while inpatient admissions decreased for both medical oncology and thoracic oncology (18% ( P = .0018) and 44% ( P < .0001), respectively). Cancer diagnosis plummeted (−34%), but no stage shift could be demonstrated. Acceptance and adoption of hygienic measures was high, as measured by a targeted questionnaire (>85%). However, only 46.2% of responding patients regarded telemedicine, although widely deployed, as an efficient surrogate to a consultation. Thirty-three patients developed SARS-CoV-2, 27 were hospitalized, and 11 died within this time frame. These infected patients were younger, current smokers, and suffered more comorbidities. Conclusions This retrospective cohort analysis adds to the evidence that continuation of active cancer therapy and specialist visits is feasible and safe with the implementation of telemedicine. These data further confirm the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on cancer care management, cancer diagnosis, and impact of infection on cancer patients.

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Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has a far-reaching impact on healthcare. Cancer patients in particular were regarded as vulnerable and oncology departments drastically modified their Care systems and established new priorities. We evaluated the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the activity of a single cancer center; and we studied patients’ perspectives of the preventive institutional or governmental safety measures.Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of (i) Volumes of Oncological activities (2020 versus 2019), (ii) patients’ perception rate of the preventive measures, (iii) patients’ SARS-Cov-2 infections, clinical signs thereof and (iv) new diagnoses made during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Results: As compared with a similar timeframe in 2019 the overall activity in total numbers of outpatient chemotherapy administrations and specialist visits, based on weekly average of daily accesses was not statistically different; while inpatient admissions decreased for both medical oncology and thoracic oncology (18% (p=0.0018) and 44% (p<0.0001) respectively). Cancer diagnosis plummeted (34%), but no stage shift could be demonstrated.Acceptance and adoption of hygienic measures was high, as measured by a targeted questionnaire administered to a sample of outpatients (>85%). However, only 46.2% of responding patients regarded telemedicine, although widely deployed, as an efficient surrogate to a consultation. Thirty-three patients developed SARS-CoV-2, 27 were hospitalized and 11 died within this time frame. These infected patients were younger, current smokers and suffered more comorbidities.Conclusions: This retrospective cohort analysis demonstrates that continuation of active cancer therapy and specialist visits is feasible and safe after implementation of population-wide, institutional and department specific safety measures. Substantial decreases in diagnosis of solid tumors were recorded. To manage the backlog of belated diagnoses, while providing continued state-of-the-art cancer care during this prolonged health crisis, we need policy interventions to adapt the health care system and allow telemedicine to fulfill a more prominent role.