Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Waves on Colorectal Cancer Stage Migration and Diagnostic Delays

NCT07328399 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: IG/2037-1/2023
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 198
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Background/Objectives: The incidence of colorectal cancer in Hungary exceeds the EU (European Union) average, and the cancer mortality rate is also among the highest in the country. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted various areas of healthcare, including cancer diagnosis and treatment. Due to the measures taken to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, not only newly suspected cancer patients but also those already diagnosed and undergoing treatment faced numerous difficulties. Methods: The study included 198 patients with colorectal cancer, of whom 43 participants were newly diagnosed cases. Due to low case numbers in certain COVID-19 waves, adjacent waves were merged for statistical analysis. The number of newly diagnosed colorectal cancer cases across COVID-19 waves was compared using one-way ANOVA, stage distribution differences and the proportion of missed treatments were assessed with Fisher's exact test. In follow-up patients, changes were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Differences in tumor size categories were examined using chi-square tests.

Conditions

Colorectal Cancer

Keywords

COVID-19; colorectal cancer; pandemic waves; follow-up

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Tumor stage distribution across COVID-19 pandemic waves

  Comparison of colorectal cancer tumor stage (AJCC 8th edition) across different COVID-19 pandemic waves and the post-COVID period based on MRI findings.

  September 2020 - December 2023

• Number of newly diagnosed colorectal cancer cases

  Monthly number of newly diagnosed colorectal cancer cases across COVID-19 waves and the post-COVID period.

  September 2020 - December 2023

• TNM classification

  TNM classification of colorectal cancer according to the AJCC 8th edition during different COVID-19 pandemic waves in newly diagnosed and follow-up patients.

  September 2020 - December 2023

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Tumor progression or regression in follow-up patients

  September 2020 - December 2023

• Missed oncologic treatments

  September 2020 - December 2023

• Presence and distribution of metastases

  September 2020 - December 2023

Study Arms (1)

Colorectal cancer patients

Patients with colorectal cancer undergoing MRI examination during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult patients with colorectal cancer undergoing MRI examination during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

You may qualify if:

• Patients with suspected or confirmed colorectal cancer
• Patients examined by MRI at Szent Margit Hospital
• MRI referral issued between September 2020 and December 2023

You may not qualify if:

• MRI referrals not issued by Szent Margit Hospital

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Pecs: lead

Study Sites (1)

Szent Margit Hospital

Budapest, 1032, Hungary

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Colorectal Neoplasms; COVID-19

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Intestinal Neoplasms; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Digestive System Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Digestive System Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Colonic Diseases; Intestinal Diseases; Rectal Diseases; Pneumonia, Viral; Pneumonia; Respiratory Tract Infections; Infections; Virus Diseases; Coronavirus Infections; Coronaviridae Infections; Nidovirales Infections; RNA Virus Infections; Lung Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases

Study Officials

• József Tollár, Dr.

  University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hungary

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Adrienn Biró, Dr.

  Somogy County Móricz Kaposi Teaching Hospital, 7400 Kaposvár, Hungary

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 14, 2025
• First Posted: January 9, 2026
• Study Start: September 1, 2020
• Primary Completion: December 31, 2023
• Study Completion: December 31, 2023
• Last Updated: January 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

HU (1)