Effect of wearing masks on postoperative radiotherapy in cervical cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective study on acute toxicity

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Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has created great challenges and requirements for radiotherapy. Mask wearing is an effective physical intervention against disease transmission and has been part of daily prevention strategies. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of mask wearing on the toxicity of postoperative radiotherapy in patients with cervical cancer.Methods: Between December 2018 and June 2021, a retrospective review was conducted among patients with FIGO stage IB-IIA cervical cancer who were treated with postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Acute toxicities were graded according to the National Cancer Institute’s Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0.Results: A total of 85 patients were eligible for the study; 33 patients (38.9%) wore masks, whereas another 52 patients (61.1%) did not wear masks. There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of grade 1-2 enteritis (57.6% vs. 21.1%, P = 0.005) and grade 3-4 enteritis (21.2% vs. 3.8%, P = 0.033) between the two groups. Other acute toxicity reactions were not significantly different.Conclusions: On the basis of clinical findings, we think that mask wearing for cervical cancer patients undergoing daily postoperative radiotherapy seems debatable. More attention should be focused on the impact of mask wearing on acute toxicity.

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