ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic (PAN) has had a major effect on colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment. There is little data comparing pre-pandemic (Pre PAN) and pandemic (PAN) CRC outcomes. Aims and Methods: Using data extracted from the Somerset Cancer Database, we compared CRC patients diagnosed in the 6 months prior to (Pre-PAN) and following (PAN) national lockdown on 23/03/2020. Outcome measures included: cancer stage, resection rate, stoma rate, Clavien-Dindo score and 90 day mortality. Statistical analyses included Chi-squared and Mann-Whitney- U tests. Results: N = 136 patients (M:F = 80:56, Median age = 67). There was no excess morbidity or mortality between the two groups. Conclusion: Reassuringly there was no excess mortality or morbidity demonstrating the efficacy of COVID surgical protocols. PAN patients presented with advanced tumour stage, this may be due to suspension of the screening programme. Decreased diagnoses may be due to loss of investigative resource or patient factors such as fear of COVID.