Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on diagnosis and treatment pattern of prostate cancer: a comprehensive literature review, phase 1

Since its outbreak in late 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes to medical practice, including the care and management methods regarding prostate cancer. Patients with prostate cancer are exposed to high risk of infection, hospitalization, and death due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), while other elements including male gender, old age, and pre-existing comorbidities increased the possibility of infection. Although patients with prostate cancer need intensive support and care, high concerns of infection resulted in delay or avoidance of medical care, especially during the initial phase of the pandemic, which led to needs of revisions in diagnostic procedures and treatment plans. Our review illustrates the changes that have occurred in prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. We further conducted a review on topics recently being highlighted which include the protective role of androgen deprivation therapy on SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination and immune response in patients with prostate cancer, and the outcomes of altered treatment plans. As with the many efforts in treating cancer since the outbreak of COVID-19, identifying the changes in research and clinical practice of patients with prostate cancer worldwide is essential in providing appropriate patient care in rapidly changing circumstances.