The evaluation of breast biopsy results before and after the inception of COVID-19 pandemic: Single center retrospective study

Authors : Funda ULU ÖZTÜRK, Şehnaz TEZCAN

Pages : 12-17

Doi:10.18663/tjcl.1242259

View : 14 | Download : 10

Publication Date : 2023-03-23

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: This study aimed to evaluate breast biopsy procedures performed in radiology unit before and after COVID-19 pandemic initiation, and compare breast cancer diagnosis. Material and Methods: Breast biopsies performed two years before and after March 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Patient demographics, referral reason insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(screening/diagnostic);, biopsy type and region, tumor size, BI-RADS category and pathology were evaluated. Statistical analysis was made using chi-square test, independent samples t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Among 903 biopsies, the mean age was 51 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(range 15 to 88 years);. Biopsy volume decreased in the early six months of the pandemic, but accelerated soon after, with numbers even more than the pre-pandemic era. Screening intention on patient referral decreased significantly in the pandemic period, where diagnostic purposes arised insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.05);. The prominent imaging modality used for diagnosis was mammography before pandemic and ultrasonography after pandemic insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.05);. There was no statistical difference regarding biopsy type, biopsy region, tumor size, axillary lymph node invasion and pathology results by period. Conclusion: Despite the sudden decrease of breast biopsy volume in the early pandemic, demand of screening reduced and diagnostic referrals increased dramatically afterwards . Therefore, the interruption of cancer screening programmes should be avoided to prevent cancer burden.
Keywords : COVID 19, breast cancer, imaging aided breast biopsy