COVID-19 related pancreatic cancer surveillance disruptions amongst high-risk individuals

Katona, Bryson W.; Mahmud, Nadim; Dbouk, Mohamad; Ahmad, Nuzhat; Chhoda, Ankit; Dudley, Beth; Hayat, Umar; Kwon, Richard S.; Lee, Linda S.; Rustgi, Anil K.; Ukaegbu, Chinedu; Vasquez, Lisa; Volk, Sarah; Brand, Randall E.; Canto, Marcia I.; Chak, Amitabh; Farrell, James J.; Kastrinos, Fay; Stoffel, Elena M.; Syngal, Sapna; Goggins, Michael

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions to EUS-based pancreatic cancer surveillance in high-risk individuals remain uncertain. METHODS: Analysis of enrolled participants in the CAPS5 Study, a prospective multicenter study of pancreatic cancer surveillance in high-risk individuals. RESULTS: Amongst 693 enrolled high-risk individuals under active surveillance, 108 (16%) had an EUS scheduled during the COVID-19 pandemic-related shutdown (median length of 78 days) in the spring of 2020, with 97% of these procedures being canceled. Of these canceled surveillance EUSs, 83% were rescheduled in a median of 4.1 months, however 17% were not rescheduled after 6 months follow-up. Prior history of cancer was associated with increased likelihood of rescheduling. To date no pancreatic cancer has been diagnosed among those whose surveillance was delayed. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 delayed pancreatic cancer surveillance with no adverse outcomes in efficiently rescheduled individuals. However, 1 in 6 high-risk individuals had not rescheduled surveillance, indicating the need for vigilance to ensure timely surveillance rescheduling.