Patients in France diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer after the country's first COVID-19 lockdown had a higher tumor burden than those diagnosed before the lockdown, according to an analysis published in JAMA Network Open.
A total of 80 patients were involved in the study — 40 people were screened before the first COVID-19 lockdown, and 40 people were screened after.
Researchers found the median circulating tumor DNA concentration among patients diagnosed after the lockdown was higher than those diagnosed before lockdown.
The study suggests that CRC is a major area for intervention to minimize pandemic-associated delays in screening, diagnosis and treatment.