RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Impact of COVID-19 on cancer management in military hospitals of Saudi Arabia JF Saudi Medical Journal JO Saudi Med J FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City SP 1272 OP 1280 DO 10.15537/smj.2021.42.12.20210483 VO 42 IS 12 A1 Omar Al Zahrani A1 Ismail Ghorbel A1 Osama Mukhtar A1 Muneera Almajed A1 Hoda M. Abdelazim A1 Muhammad N. Hasan A1 Ahmad Mostafa A1 Aisha A. Al Harbi A1 Ali Bajouda YR 2021 UL http://smj.org.sa/content/42/12/1272.abstract AB Objectives: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on cancer management in Saudi Arabia’s military hospitals.Methods: This multi-centric, retrospective study compared cancer patients diagnosed from February-July 2019 and 2020, focusing on the time duration for acceptance and time for oncologic treatment initiation. Eligibility and referral status were recorded. Clinical data of COVID-19-positive cancer patients were collected and evaluated their outcomes and survival.Results: Data of 1574 cancer patients (mean age, 57.1 years) were collected. Mean time for acceptance was 7.3 days in 2019 and 8 days in 2020, with no statistically significant difference. Mean time for oncology treatment initiation was 38.4 days in 2019 and 44.3 days in 2020, with no statistically significant difference. The number of new cancer patients decreased in 2020 but increased in peripheral hospitals. It decreased in Riyadh and Jeddah hospitals. Concerning referral status, a statistically significant modification was recorded only in Riyadh and Tabuk hospitals. No significant changes observed in time duration for acceptance of new patients and oncology treatment initiation from 2019-2020. A total of 76 COVID-19-positive cancer patients recorded; 72% were symptomatic, 73.6% recovered, 22.3% died due to COVID-19 complications, and 8% died due to cancer; cancer progressed in 7 patients.Conclusion: COVID-19 did not affect oncology service in Saudi Arabia’s military hospitals. New cancer cases reduced during the pandemic. Cancer patients are at increased risk for COVID-19 complications, including death.