332P Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC)

Abstract

The COVID19 pandemic has affected the spectrum of cancer care worldwide. EOCRC is defined as diagnosis below the age of 50. Patients (pts) with EOCRC face multiple challenges, while the COVID19 pandemic caused disruptions in cancer diagnosis and care delivery. Our study aims to identify the clinicopathological features (CF) and outcomes of pts with EOCRC in our Centre during the first wave (FW) of the pandemic compared to the same period in 2019 and 2021. Consecutive pts with EOCRC visited for the first time at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital in Spain from the 1 March-30 June 2019, 2020 and 2021 were included in the analysis. Data of CF and treatment were collected from medical records. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Quantitative and categorical variables were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Fisher’s exact test. 136 pts with EOCRC were visited for the first time between 2019 and 2021, of which 53% met the inclusion criteria (2019: 19%, 2020: 40%, 2021: 41%). Table summarizes CF and outcomes. Of note, indication of systemic therapy in the adjuvant or metastatic setting was not altered during the FW. No statistical differences (SD) were found when comparing stage at first visit in 2019, 2020 and 2021 (p=0.7). Of 29%, 38% and 40% of pts starting treatment for the first time in our Centre in the given period in 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively, median (M) days to treatment initiation (TI) was 18.5, 20 and 23. No SD were found when comparing frequency of pts starting treatment (p=0.6) and days to TI (p=0.4) in 2019, 2020 and 2021. 4 (29%), 7 (24%), and 7 (23%) pts were included in clinical trials (CT) in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively. No SD were found (p=0.70).Table: 332P201920202021Age, M (range)41 (27-49)43 (29-49)44.5 (30-49)Female, n (%)7 (50%)14 (48%)15 (50%)Stage at diagnosis (localized/metastatic), %36%/64%28%/62%43%/57%Stage at visit in our Centre (localized/metastatic), %22%/78%11%/89%17%/83%Site of primary tumor (right/left/rectum), %28%/44%/28%14%/69%/17%37%/40%/23%KRAS/NRAS/BRAF/Unknown, %64%/7%/7%/7%45%/0%/4%/14%34%/4%/4%/26%MSI, n (%)1, 7%2, 7%2, 7%Patients starting treatment, n (%)4 (28%)11 (38%)12 (40%)Days to treatment initiation, M (range)18.5 (17-23)20 (7-76)23 (2-69)Inclusion in clinical trials, n (%)4 (28%)7 (24%)7 (23%) Open table in a new tab Our study shows a progressive increase in EOCRC, despite COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, no SD in stage of the disease, treatment indication and TI were found during the FW of the pandemic compared to the same period in 2019 and 2021. Rate of inclusion in CT in this subpopulation with unmet clinical needs is relatively high.