Marina Caldana*, Elisa Filippi, Sara Mirandola, Valeria Tombolan, Giulia Deguidi, Mattia De Flaviis, Lorenzo Bertoldi, Chiara Rossato, Giuli Piccinni Leopardi, Francesca Pellini

Breast Surgeon, U.O.C. Chirurgia Senologica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona, Italy

*Corresponding Author: Marina Caldana, Breast Surgeon, U.O.C. Chirurgia Senologica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona, Italy.

Received: February 24, 2022; Published: June 09, 2022

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has required a significant re-allocation of healthcare resources. The aim of this article is to report our experience with the management of breast cancer in the COVID-19 era in order to share our experience and provide information useful to develop possible organization model.

Methods: In our study, we retrospectively analysed the data collected in the DataBreast™ database of all patients undergoing breast surgery in 2020 and compared them with those of the previous year.

Results: In 2020, due to the suspension of BC screening programs from March to May, we observed a progressive decline in surgery. The proportion between breast conserving surgeries and mastectomies remained constant. Among the mastectomies the rate of reconstruction remained stable at 60%. Breast reconstruction techniques remained unchanged compared to 2019. The rate of TN cancers undergoing NACT remained stable at 40% and all patients underwent surgery in adequate time. The safety measures applied have allowed to avoid outbreaks of infection among both patients and healthcare workers. ICG florescence technique for SLNB, Breast Care Nurse’s re-call service and online psychological interviews have allowed to reduce hospital access for patients. We continued to guarantee multidisciplinary assessments through online modalities.

Conclusions: The implementation of new practices, such as the ICG fluorescence technique for preoperative mapping of the sentinel lymph node, multidisciplinary online meetings, telemedicine, psychological and nursing support service allow to implement the patient's sense of safety and continue to offer high standards of care according to breast guidelines without compromising the safety of patients and healthcare professionals.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Breast Cancer

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Citation

Citation: Marina Caldana. “From New Challenges in the Emergency Phase to Different Opportunities in the Coexistence Phase of Covid-19: An Experience in Breast Cancer Care”.Acta Scientific Medical Sciences 6.7 (2022): 86-92.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2022 Marina Caldana. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.