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Aryanian Z, Balighi K, Goodarzi A, Sadeghi Nia A, Afshar ZM, Hatami P. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers, a mini review. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2023; 6:e1854. [PMID: 37434543 PMCID: PMC10480421 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The SARS-Cov-2 pandemic has caused dermatologists around the world to adapt their practice in the aim of protecting patients with special clinical conditions such as those having skin cancers or premalignant conditions and some diagnostic or therapeutic programs would be suspended due to being infected to SARS-CoV-2. We focused the existing data in this regard through searching on PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus and tried to summarize recommendations for treating this group of patients in COVID era to provide a practical guide for clinicians. RECENT FINDINGS The number of diagnosed skin cancers dropped significantly since the beginning of the pandemic, specially in the peaks of various variants of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The new guidelines allowed even a 3-month delay in excision and recommended surgery for non-melanoma growing skin cancers. CONCLUSION Dermatologists should perform a careful, individualized risk-benefit assessment for their patients and consider some changes in routine protocols such as having a delayed diagnostic or therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Aryanian
- Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Research CenterTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Department of DermatologyBabol University of Medical SciencesBabolIran
| | - Kamran Balighi
- Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Research CenterTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Department of Dermatology, Razi HospitalTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Azadeh Goodarzi
- Department of Dermatology, Rasool Akram Medical Complex Clinical Research Development Center, School of MedicineIran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Skin and Stem Cell Research CenterTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Ali Sadeghi Nia
- Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Research CenterTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Department of Dermatology, Razi HospitalTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Zeinab Mohseni Afshar
- Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza HospitalKermanshah University of Medical SciencesKermanshahIran
| | - Parvaneh Hatami
- Autoimmune Bullous Diseases Research CenterTehran University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Behayand Cancer TeamTehranIran
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2
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Troesch A, Magdalena H, Forchhammer S, Del Regno L, Lodde G, Turko P, Cheng PF, Levesque ML, Hadaschik E, Livingstone E, Peris K, Flatz L, Peter K, Dummer R, Dimitriou F. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis of cutaneous melanomas: A retrospective cohort study from five European skin cancer reference centres. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2023; 37:922-931. [PMID: 36785973 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.18953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 lockdown had a dramatic impact on primary care access and resulted in postponed skin cancer screenings. This raises concerns for a diagnostic delay on primary cutaneous melanomas, which can subsequently increase morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19-related restrictions on the melanoma diagnosis in five European skin cancer reference centres in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Italy. METHODS A total of 7865 cutaneous melanoma cases were collected between 01 September 2018 and 31 August 2021. The time period was stratified into pre-COVID (pre-lockdown) and post-COVID (lockdown and post-lockdown) according to the established restrictions in each country. The data collection included demographic, clinical and histopathological data from histologically confirmed cutaneous melanomas. Personal and family history of melanoma, and presence of immunosuppression were used to assess the diagnosis delay in high-risk individuals. RESULTS There was an overall increase of the Breslow tumour thickness (mean 1.25 mm vs. 1.02 mm) during the post-COVID period, as well as an increase in the proportion of T3-T4 melanomas, rates of ulceration and the number of mitotic rates ≥2 (all, p < 0.001). Patients with immunosuppression and personal history of melanoma showed a decrease in the mean log10-transformed Breslow during lockdown and post-COVID. In the multivariate analysis, age at melanoma diagnosis (p < 0.01) and personal history of melanoma (p < 0.01) showed significant differences in the mean Breslow thickness. CONCLUSIONS The study confirms the diagnostic delay in cutaneous melanomas due to the COVID-19 lockdown. High-risk individuals, such as patients with personal history of melanoma and elderly individuals, were more hesitant to restart their regular skin cancer screenings post-COVID. Further studies with longer follow-up are required to evaluate the consequences of this diagnostic delay in long-term outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Troesch
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hoellwerth Magdalena
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Stephan Forchhammer
- Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Laura Del Regno
- Dermatology, Universita' Cattolica, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Georg Lodde
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Patrick Turko
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Phil F Cheng
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mitchell L Levesque
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eva Hadaschik
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Livingstone
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ketty Peris
- Dermatology, Universita' Cattolica, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lukas Flatz
- Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Koelblinger Peter
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Reinhard Dummer
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Florentia Dimitriou
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Jeremić J, Suđecki B, Radenović K, Mihaljević J, Radosavljević I, Jovanović M, Milić N, Pavlović V, Brašanac D, Jović M. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Melanoma Diagnosis: Increased Breslow Thickness in Primary Melanomas-A Single Center Experience. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16806. [PMID: 36554683 PMCID: PMC9779520 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Early melanoma diagnosis plays a key role in ensuring best prognosis with good survival rates. The ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted global and national healthcare systems, thus making it a real challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on diagnostic delay in melanoma patients in Serbia. In this retrospective study, we included patients treated at the university hospital in Serbia's capitol over a period of five years and three months. We compared the prepandemic (01/JAN/17-14/MAR/20) and pandemic periods (15/MAR/20-31/MAR/22) by evaluating patient demographic data, melanoma subtype, Breslow thickness, Clark level, ulceration status, mitotic index rate and pT staging. We observed a significant reduction in the number of diagnosed patients (86.3 vs. 13.7%; p = 0.036), with melanomas having an increased median Breslow thickness (1.80 vs. 3.00; p = 0.010), a higher percentage of Clark IV-V level lesions (44.0% vs. 63.0%; p = 0.009), an increase in median mitotic index rate (2 vs. 5; p < 0.001) and a trend of increase in lesions thicker than 2 mm (37.8% vs. 53.7%; p = 0.026). We believe that this study can be a useful scenario guide for future similar events, highlighting the importance of preventive measures and timely diagnosis for the best patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Jeremić
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Clinic for Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Branko Suđecki
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Clinic for Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Kristina Radenović
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Clinic for Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jovan Mihaljević
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Clinic for Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ivan Radosavljević
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Clinic for Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milan Jovanović
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Clinic for Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nataša Milić
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vedrana Pavlović
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dimitrije Brašanac
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marko Jović
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Clinic for Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
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Ungureanu L, Apostu AP, Vesa ȘC, Cășeriu AE, Frățilă S, Iancu G, Bejinariu N, Munteanu M, Șenilă SC, Vasilovici A. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Melanoma Diagnosis in Romania-Data from Two University Centers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15129. [PMID: 36429847 PMCID: PMC9690697 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192215129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic affected the healthcare system in our country and led non-COVID patients to postpone medical visits that were not urgent. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic on the trends in melanoma diagnosis and to compare the pathological characteristics of melanoma patients before and during the pandemic. The number of primary cutaneous melanomas diagnosed each month between 1 March 2019 and 29 February 2020 (pre-COVID-19) and between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2021 (COVID-19) in the North-Western Region of Romania (Cluj and Bihor counties) was determined. The pathological characteristics of melanomas diagnosed in the two intervals were compared. The number of melanoma diagnoses substantially decreased during the pandemic, with 66 (-19.3%) fewer cutaneous melanomas being diagnosed in the first year of the pandemic when compared with the previous year. The tumor thickness and mitotic rate were significantly higher in cases found during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study suggests that COVID-19 has delayed diagnosis in patients with melanoma, leading to the detection of thicker melanomas that may increase morbidity and mortality. Further studies are needed to determine the consequences of this delay on outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredana Ungureanu
- Department of Dermatology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Dermatology, Emergency County Hospital, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Adina Patricia Apostu
- Department of Dermatology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ștefan Cristian Vesa
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alexandra Elena Cășeriu
- Department of Dermatology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Simona Frățilă
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410068 Oradea, Romania
- Clinical Emergency County Hospital, 410039 Oradea, Romania
| | - Gabriela Iancu
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, 550169 Sibiu, Romania
- Clinic of Dermatology, County Emergency Hospital Sibiu, 550245 Sibiu, Romania
| | - Nona Bejinariu
- Santomar Oncodiagnostic Laboratory, 400350 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Maximilian Munteanu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, “Prof Dr. I. Chiricuță” Institute of Oncology, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Simona C. Șenilă
- Department of Dermatology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Dermatology, Emergency County Hospital, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alina Vasilovici
- Department of Dermatology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Dermatology, Emergency County Hospital, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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5
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Micek A, Diehl K, Teuscher M, Schaarschmidt M, Sasama B, Ohletz J, Burbach G, Kiecker F, Hillen U, Harth W, Peitsch WK. Melanoma care during one year pandemic in Berlin: decreasing appointment cancellations despite increasing COVID-19 concern. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2022; 20:962-978. [PMID: 35665996 PMCID: PMC9348098 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.14799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The COVID-19 pandemic poses a great challenge for cancer patients. Our aim was to assess its influence on treatment and appointments of melanoma patients after one year of pandemic. METHODS Melanoma patients treated in the Vivantes Skin Cancer Centre in Berlin, Germany completed a postal survey on pandemic-related alterations in melanoma care. Impact factors on changes of appointments were examined with descriptive analyses and multivariate logistic regression. Data after one year of pandemic were compared to those after its first wave. RESULTS Among 366 participants (57.7 % males; mean age 69.2 years, response rate: 36.1 %), 38 (10.1 %) reported postponed or missed appointments, mostly on their own demand (71.1 %) due to fear of COVID-19 (52.6 %). Current treatment was associated with a lower risk of changing appointments (Odds Ratio [OR]: 0.194, p = 0.002), higher age (OR: 1.037, p = 0.039), longer disease duration (OR: 1.007, p = 0.028), and higher school degree (OR: 2.263, p = 0.043) with higher probability. Among 177 patients currently receiving therapy, only 1.7 % experienced pandemic-related treatment alterations. Concern about COVID-19 was significantly higher after one year of pandemic than after its first wave, but the number of missed appointments was lower. CONCLUSIONS Pandemic-related changes were rare in our cohort and decreased over time despite increasing concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Micek
- Department of Dermatology and AllergologyVivantes Klinikum SpandauBerlinGermany,Faculty of Medicine, CharitéUniversity Medicine BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Katharina Diehl
- Mannheim Institute of Public HealthSocial and Preventive MedicineMedical Faculty MannheimHeidelberg UniversityMannheimGermany,Department of Medical InformaticsBiometry and EpidemiologyFriedrich‐Alexander‐University Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU)ErlangenGermany
| | - Miriam Teuscher
- Department of Dermatology and PhlebologyVivantes Klinikum im FriedrichshainBerlinGermany
| | - Marthe‐Lisa Schaarschmidt
- Department of DermatologyVenereology and AllergologyUniversity Medical Center MannheimHeidelberg UniversityMannheimGermany
| | - Bianca Sasama
- Department of Dermatology and PhlebologyVivantes Klinikum im FriedrichshainBerlinGermany
| | - Jan Ohletz
- Department of Dermatology and AllergologyVivantes Klinikum SpandauBerlinGermany
| | - Guido Burbach
- Department of Dermatology and AllergologyVivantes Klinikum SpandauBerlinGermany
| | - Felix Kiecker
- Department of Dermatology and VenereologyVivantes Klinikum NeuköllnBerlinGermany
| | - Uwe Hillen
- Department of Dermatology and VenereologyVivantes Klinikum NeuköllnBerlinGermany
| | - Wolfgang Harth
- Department of Dermatology and AllergologyVivantes Klinikum SpandauBerlinGermany
| | - Wiebke K. Peitsch
- Department of Dermatology and PhlebologyVivantes Klinikum im FriedrichshainBerlinGermany
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Micek A, Diehl K, Teuscher M, Schaarschmidt ML, Sasama B, Ohletz J, Burbach G, Kiecker F, Hillen U, Harth W, Peitsch WK. Melanomversorgung während eines Jahres Pandemie in Berlin: abnehmende Terminstornierungen trotz zunehmender Besorgnis über COVID-19. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2022; 20:962-979. [PMID: 35881087 PMCID: PMC9350167 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.14799_g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
HINTERGRUND UND ZIELE Die COVID-19-Pandemie stellt für Krebspatienten eine große Herausforderung dar. Unser Ziel war es, ihren Einfluss auf die Behandlung und auf Arzttermine von Melanompatienten nach einem Jahr Pandemie zu untersuchen. PATIENTEN UND METHODIK Melanompatienten, die im Vivantes Hauttumorzentrum in Berlin behandelt wurden, beantworteten eine postalische Umfrage zu Pandemie-bedingten Änderungen ihrer Melanomversorgung. Einflussfaktoren auf Terminänderungen wurden mit deskriptiven Analysen und multivariater logistischer Regression untersucht. Daten nach einem Jahr Pandemie wurden mit Daten nach der ersten Welle verglichen. ERGEBNISSE Von den 366 Teilnehmern (57,7 % Männer; Durchschnittsalter 69,2 Jahre, Rücklaufquote: 36,1 %) berichteten 38 (10,1 %) über verschobene oder verpasste Arzttermine, meist auf eigenen Wunsch (71,1 %) aus Angst vor COVID-19 (52,6 %). Eine aktuelle Therapie war mit einem geringeren Risiko, Termine zu verpassen, assoziiert (Odds Ratio [OR]: 0,194, p = 0,002), höheres Alter (OR: 1,037, p = 0,039), längere Krankheitsdauer (OR: 1,007, p = 0,028) und ein höherer Schulabschluss (OR: 2,263, p = 0,043) mit höherer Wahrscheinlichkeit. Von den 177 Patienten, die aktuell eine Therapie erhielten, erfuhren nur 1,7 % Pandemie-bedingte Behandlungsänderungen. Die Besorgnis über COVID-19 war nach einem Jahr Pandemie signifikant größer als nach der ersten Welle, die Zahl der verpassten Arzttermine jedoch niedriger. SCHLUSSFOLGERUNGEN Pandemie-bedingte Änderungen waren in unserer Kohorte selten und nahmen trotz zunehmender Besorgnis mit der Zeit ab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Micek
- Klinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Vivantes Klinikum Spandau, Berlin.,Medizinische Fakultät, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Katharina Diehl
- Mannheimer Institut für Public Health, Sozial- und Präventivmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim der Universität Heidelberg, Mannheim.,Institut für Medizininformatik, Biometrie und Epidemiologie, Professur für Epidemiologie und Public Health, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen
| | - Miriam Teuscher
- Klinik für Dermatologie und Phlebologie, Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain, Berlin
| | - Marthe-Lisa Schaarschmidt
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Mannheim, Universität Heidelberg, Mannheim
| | - Bianca Sasama
- Klinik für Dermatologie und Phlebologie, Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain, Berlin
| | - Jan Ohletz
- Klinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Vivantes Klinikum Spandau, Berlin
| | - Guido Burbach
- Klinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Vivantes Klinikum Spandau, Berlin
| | - Felix Kiecker
- Klinik für Dermatologie und Venerologie, Vivantes Klinikum Neukölln, Berlin
| | - Uwe Hillen
- Klinik für Dermatologie und Venerologie, Vivantes Klinikum Neukölln, Berlin
| | - Wolfgang Harth
- Klinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Vivantes Klinikum Spandau, Berlin
| | - Wiebke K Peitsch
- Klinik für Dermatologie und Phlebologie, Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain, Berlin
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7
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Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Melanoma Diagnosis in Switzerland: Increased Tumor Thickness in Elderly Females and Shift towards Stage IV Melanoma during Lockdown. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14102360. [PMID: 35625961 PMCID: PMC9139530 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
At the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, Switzerland was among the countries with the highest number of SARS-CoV2-infections per capita in the world. Lockdowns had a remarkable impact on primary care access and resulted in postponed cancer screenings. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on the diagnosis of melanomas and stage of melanomas at diagnosis. In this retrospective, exploratory cohort study, 1240 patients with a new diagnosis of melanoma were analyzed at five tertiary care hospitals in German-speaking Switzerland over a period of two years and three months. We compared the pre-lockdown (01/FEB/19-15/MAR/20, n = 655) with the lockdown (16/MAR/20-22/JUN/20, n = 148) and post-lockdown period (23/JUN/20-30/APR/21, n = 437) by evaluating patients' demographics and prognostic features using Breslow thickness, ulceration, subtype, and stages. We observed a short-term, two-week rise in melanoma diagnoses after the major lift of social lockdown restrictions. The difference of mean Breslow thicknesses was significantly greater in older females during the lockdown compared to the pre-lockdown (1.9 ± 1.3 mm, p = 0.03) and post-lockdown period (1.9 ± 1.3 mm, p = 0.048). Thickness increase was driven by nodular melanomas (2.9 ± 1.3 mm, p = 0.0021; resp. 2.6 ± 1.3 mm, p = 0.008). A proportional rise of advanced melanomas was observed during lockdown (p = 0.047). The findings provide clinically relevant insights into lockdown-related gender- and age-dependent effects on melanoma diagnosis. Our data highlight a stable course in new melanomas with a lower-than-expected increase in the post-lockdown period. The lockdown period led to a greater thickness in elderly women driven by nodular melanomas and a proportional shift towards stage IV melanoma. We intend to raise awareness for individual cancer care in future pandemic management strategies.
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8
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Jacklin C, Tan M, Sravanam S, Harrison C. Appraisal of International Guidelines for Cutaneous Melanoma Management using the AGREE II assessment tool. JPRAS Open 2022; 31:114-122. [PMID: 35024406 PMCID: PMC8732330 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpra.2021.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The evidence base behind new melanoma treatments is rapidly accumulating. This is not necessarily reflected in current guidance. A recent UK-based expert consensus statement, published in JPRAS, has called for updates to the widely accepted 2015 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline for melanoma (NG14). We aimed to compare the quality of NG14 to all other melanoma guidelines published since. METHODS We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Medline, and online clinical practice guideline databases to identify melanoma guidelines published between 29th July 2015 and 23rd August 2021 providing recommendations for adjuvant treatment, radiotherapy, surgical management, or follow-up care. Three authors independently assessed the quality of identified guidelines using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation Instrument II (AGREE II) assessment tool, which measures six domains of guideline development. Inter-rater reliability was assessed by Kendall's coefficient of concordance (W). RESULTS Twenty-nine guidelines were included and appraised with excellent concordance (Kendall's W for overall guideline score 0.88, p<0.001). Overall, melanoma guidelines scored highly in the domains of 'Scope and purpose' and 'Clarity of presentation', but poorly in the 'Applicability' domain. The NICE guideline on melanoma (NG14) achieved the best overall scores. CONCLUSION Melanoma treatment has advanced since NG14 was published, however, the NICE melanoma guideline is of higher quality than more recent alternatives. The planned update of NG14 in 2022 is in demand.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Jacklin
- Medical Sciences Divisional Office, University of Oxford, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - M. Tan
- Academic Section of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London
| | - S. Sravanam
- Medical Sciences Divisional Office, University of Oxford, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - C.J. Harrison
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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9
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Cariti C, Merli M, Avallone G, Rubatto M, Marra E, Fava P, Caliendo V, Picciotto F, Gualdi G, Stanganelli I, Fierro MT, Ribero S, Quaglino P. Melanoma Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic Emergency: A Literature Review and Single-Center Experience. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13236071. [PMID: 34885180 PMCID: PMC8656565 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13236071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary COVID-19 is a highly contagious infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that COVID-19 had become a pandemic; since then, several elective clinical and surgical activities have been postponed to reduce the risk of nosocomial infection. This has influenced the diagnosis and management of many diseases, including melanoma. The aim of our literature review was to evaluate whether the management of melanoma has been changed by the outbreak of COVID-19, and if so, what the consequences of these changes are. The main topics in this literature review are the screening of suspicious lesions, diagnosis of primary melanoma, and the management of early-stage and advanced melanomas in the COVID-19 era. We also reported the experience of our dermatological clinic in Turin, one of the most affected areas in Italy. Abstract Background: The current COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the modus operandi of all fields of medicine, significantly impacting patients with oncological diseases and multiple comorbidities. Thus, in recent months, the establishment of melanoma management during the emergency has become a major area of interest. In addition to original articles, case reports and specific guidelines for the period have been developed. Purpose: This article aims to evaluate whether melanoma management has been changed by the outbreak of COVID-19, and if so, what the consequences are. We summarized the main issues concerning the screening of suspicious lesions, the diagnosis of primary melanoma, and the management of early-stage and advanced melanomas during the pandemic. Additionally, we report on the experience of our dermatological clinic in northern Italy. Methods: We performed a literature review evaluating articles on melanomas and COVID-19 published in the last two years on PubMed, as well as considering publications by major healthcare organizations. Concerning oncological practice in our center, we collected data on surgical and therapeutic procedures in patients with a melanoma performed during the first months of the pandemic. Conclusions: During the emergency period, the evaluation of suspicious skin lesions was ensured as much as possible. However, the reduced level of access to medical care led to a documented delay in the diagnosis of new melanomas. When detected, the management of early-stage and advanced melanomas was fully guaranteed, whereas the follow-up visits of disease-free patients have been postponed or replaced with a teleconsultation when possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Cariti
- Department of Medical Sciences, Dermatology Clinic, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (C.C.); (G.A.); (M.R.); (E.M.); (P.F.); (M.T.F.); (S.R.); (P.Q.)
| | - Martina Merli
- Department of Medical Sciences, Dermatology Clinic, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (C.C.); (G.A.); (M.R.); (E.M.); (P.F.); (M.T.F.); (S.R.); (P.Q.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-011-633-5843
| | - Gianluca Avallone
- Department of Medical Sciences, Dermatology Clinic, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (C.C.); (G.A.); (M.R.); (E.M.); (P.F.); (M.T.F.); (S.R.); (P.Q.)
| | - Marco Rubatto
- Department of Medical Sciences, Dermatology Clinic, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (C.C.); (G.A.); (M.R.); (E.M.); (P.F.); (M.T.F.); (S.R.); (P.Q.)
| | - Elena Marra
- Department of Medical Sciences, Dermatology Clinic, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (C.C.); (G.A.); (M.R.); (E.M.); (P.F.); (M.T.F.); (S.R.); (P.Q.)
| | - Paolo Fava
- Department of Medical Sciences, Dermatology Clinic, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (C.C.); (G.A.); (M.R.); (E.M.); (P.F.); (M.T.F.); (S.R.); (P.Q.)
| | - Virginia Caliendo
- Dermatologic Surgery Department, Surgery Department, University Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy; (V.C.); (F.P.)
| | - Franco Picciotto
- Dermatologic Surgery Department, Surgery Department, University Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy; (V.C.); (F.P.)
| | - Giulio Gualdi
- Department of Medicine and Ageing Science, Dermatologic Clinic, “G. D’Annunzio” University, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Ignazio Stanganelli
- Skin Cancer Unit, IRCCS-IRST Scientific Institute of Romagna for the Study and Treatment of Cancer, Meldola and University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy;
| | - Maria Teresa Fierro
- Department of Medical Sciences, Dermatology Clinic, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (C.C.); (G.A.); (M.R.); (E.M.); (P.F.); (M.T.F.); (S.R.); (P.Q.)
| | - Simone Ribero
- Department of Medical Sciences, Dermatology Clinic, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (C.C.); (G.A.); (M.R.); (E.M.); (P.F.); (M.T.F.); (S.R.); (P.Q.)
| | - Pietro Quaglino
- Department of Medical Sciences, Dermatology Clinic, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (C.C.); (G.A.); (M.R.); (E.M.); (P.F.); (M.T.F.); (S.R.); (P.Q.)
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10
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Mintoff D, Chatterjee M, Podder I, Shipman A, Das A. Clinical Dermatology and COVID-19 Pandemic: Narrative Review. Indian J Dermatol 2021; 66:246-255. [PMID: 34446947 PMCID: PMC8375546 DOI: 10.4103/ijd.ijd_463_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has radical repercussions on every aspect of medical science, including dermatology. The magnitude of the impact on clinical dermatology cannot be overemphasized. Dermatologists have been forced to modify and reconsider the way they consult patients. Teledermatology has come up in a big way, with most of the clinicians resorting to technology and software-based consultations. Management of different dermatological conditions like papulosquamous disorders, vesiculobullous disorders, malignancies, etc., needs to be modified as per the different recommendations proposed by expert panels. This review is an attempt to highlight the impact of this destructive pandemic on various aspects of clinical dermatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dillon Mintoff
- Department of Dermatology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | | | - Indrashis Podder
- Department of College of Medicine and Sagore Dutta Hospital, India
| | - Alexa Shipman
- Department of Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, UK
| | - Anupam Das
- Department of KPC Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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11
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Dessinioti C, Garbe C, Stratigos AJ. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on diagnostic delay of skin cancer: a call to restart screening activities. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2021; 35:e836-e837. [PMID: 34309963 PMCID: PMC8447214 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.17552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C Dessinioti
- 1st Department of Dermatology-Venereology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - C Garbe
- Center for Dermatooncology, Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - A J Stratigos
- 1st Department of Dermatology-Venereology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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12
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Gisondi P, Cazzaniga S, Di Leo S, Piaserico S, Bellinato F, Pizzolato M, Gatti A, Eccher A, Brunelli M, Saraggi D, Girolomoni G, Naldi L. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on melanoma diagnosis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2021; 35:e714-e715. [PMID: 34236721 PMCID: PMC8447457 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.17493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P Gisondi
- Department of Medicine, Section of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - S Cazzaniga
- Centro Studi GISED, Bergamo, Italy.,Department of Dermatology, Inselspital University Hospital of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - S Di Leo
- Division of Dermatology, San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy
| | - S Piaserico
- Department of Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - F Bellinato
- Department of Medicine, Section of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - M Pizzolato
- Division of Dermatology, Ospedale Santa Maria della Misericordia, Rovigo, Italy
| | - A Gatti
- Division of Dermatology, Ospedale Ca' Foncello di Treviso, Treviso, Italy
| | - A Eccher
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, Section of Pathology, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - M Brunelli
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, Section of Pathology, University Hospital of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - D Saraggi
- Division of Pathology, San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy
| | - G Girolomoni
- Department of Medicine, Section of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - L Naldi
- Centro Studi GISED, Bergamo, Italy.,Division of Dermatology, San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy
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