Surviving the Storm: Challenges of Bladder Cancer Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

PURPOSE To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the care of patients with bladder cancer in a tertiary oncology center. MATERIALS AND METHOD We performed a retrospective analysis of patients admitted to a tertiary cancer center for the treatment of bladder cancer between 2019 and 2022. Surgical volumes, patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and postoperative outcomes were compared across these years. RESULTS A total of 463 patients with bladder cancer were admitted in the period, and 78 patients underwent radical cystectomy (RC). The distribution of TMN stages between admitted patients remained consistent across the years, with no statistically significant differences.Patients who underwent RC in 2020 presented more advanced disease at surgery (pT3/pT4 stage) (p = 0.045; 95% CI 0.18 to 0.55) and had a longer hospital stay compared to other years (p=0.024; 95% CI 10.26 - 41.27). CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges for the treatment of patients with bladder cancer. These results highlight the need to adapt health systems to unforeseen challenges, emphasizing the clinical impact on patients with advanced stages of the disease and the repercussions on their overall survival. Micro-abstract This study evaluates the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on bladder cancer care at a tertiary oncology center. Analyzing 463 patient cases from 2019 to 2022, it finds that surgical volumes and TMN stages remained consistent. However, patients undergoing radical cystectomy in 2020 exhibited more advanced disease and longer hospital stays, underscoring the pandemic's significant disruptions and its implications for patient outcomes.