Letters to the Editor
In Reply
We thank Brenner and Holleczek for their comment and for pointing out the complementary data from the Saarland cancer registry (1). In analogy to the publications evaluated in our review article (2), these data show a reduction in first diagnoses of colorectal cancer.
Regarding the evaluation of these findings, we think that prompt scientific studies are required of incident cases of colorectal cancer in 2021 and subsequent years as well as of mortality due to colorectal cancer in Germany. The question that needs to be resolved is whether the reduction of colorectal cancer first diagnosis that was observed even before the pandemic is continuing, and what effects this overriding trend has potentially on first diagnoses of colorectal cancer delayed during the pandemic.
As shown in our article, robust data on the effects of the pandemic on diagnoses and mortality published in real time are lacking in Germany. This is, however, the prerequisite for evidence based management of resources in oncology that are sometimes scarce even beyond the pandemic but are fundamental to the best possible care for patients with cancer.
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2023.0245
On behalf of the authors
Prof. Dr. med. Anke Reinacher-Schick
Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Klinik für Hämatologie und Onkologie mit Palliativmedizin
St. Josef-Hospital, Bochum
Anke.Reinacher@rub.de
Conflict of interest statement
The authors of all contributions declare that no conflict of interest exists.
| 1. | Brenner H, Cardoso R, Heisser T, Hoffmeister M, Holleczek B: Indications of substantial delay of colorectal cancer diagnoses due to COVID-19 in Germany. Lancet Reg Health Eur 2022; 23: 100543 CrossRef MEDLINE PubMed Central |
| 2. | Reinacher-Schick A, Ebert MP, Piso P, Hüppe D, Schmitt J, Schildmann J: Effects of the pandemic on the care of patients with colorectal cancer. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2023; 120: 545–52 VOLLTEXT |
