Background/aim: Corona virus infection dramatically spread worldwide during 2020 and extraordinary restrictions have been implemented in order to reduce viral transmission. These measures compelled a complete restructuring of the health system, including temporary cancer screening suspension and a significant slow-down in cancer diagnoses and treatments.
Case report: We report five cases of extremely advanced breast cancer referred to our Department amid the COVID-19 pandemic. These patients exhibited a poor prognosis or worse quality of life due to their oncological disease.
Conclusion: In our opinion, both the slow-down of diagnosis and treatment of oncological disease and anxiety over COVID-19 influenced this presentation. Moreover, other patients were unable to receive palliative care. Hopefully, these cases will not develop into extremely advanced-stage disease, and we will be able to provide at least the necessary palliative care.
Keywords: COVID-19; COVID-19 pandemic; advanced breast cancer; breast cancer clinical presentation; lockdown..
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