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Díaz-Calvillo P, Muñoz-Barba D, Ureña-Paniego C, Maul LV, Cerminara S, Kostner L, Martínez López A, Arias-Santiago S. Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Diagnosis of Melanoma and Keratinocyte Carcinomas: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Acta Derm Venereol 2024; 104:adv19460. [PMID: 38483083 PMCID: PMC10953710 DOI: 10.2340/actadv.v104.19460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Since December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected healthcare. The real effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on skin cancer are still unclear, more than 3 years later. This study aims to summarise the pandemic's impact on skin cancer diagnosis and outcome. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted, selecting studies comparing skin cancer diagnosis and prognosis post-pandemic with pre-pandemic data. A total of 27 papers were reviewed including 102,263 melanomas and 271,483 keratinocyte carcinomas. During the initial pandemic months (January-July 2020), melanoma surgeries dropped by 29.7% and keratinocyte carcinomas surgeries by 50.8%. Early pandemic tumours exhibited greater thickness and stage. In a long-term period beyond the initial months, melanoma surgeries decreased by 9.3%, keratinocyte carcinomas by 16.6%. No significant differences were observed in the Breslow thickness of melanomas after the start of the pandemic (mean difference 0.06, 95% confidence interval -0.46, 0.58). Melanomas operated on post-pandemic onset had an increased risk of ulceration (odds ratio 1.35, 95% confidence interval 1.22-1.50). Keratinocyte carcinomas showed increased thickness and worsened stage post-pandemic. However, studies included were mostly retrospective and cross-sectional, reporting diverse data. This review indicates that the pandemic likely caused delays in skin cancer diagnosis and treatment, potentially impacting patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Díaz-Calvillo
- Department of Dermatology, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - Daniel Muñoz-Barba
- Department of Dermatology, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - Clara Ureña-Paniego
- Department of Dermatology, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - Lara Valeska Maul
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sara Cerminara
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lisa Kostner
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Antonio Martínez López
- Department of Dermatology, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain.
| | - Salvador Arias-Santiago
- Department of Dermatology, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain; Department of Dermatology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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De Santis KK, Helmer S, Barnes B, Kraywinkel K, Imhoff M, Müller-Eberstein R, Kirstein M, Quatmann A, Simke J, Stiens L, Christianson L, Zeeb H. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oncological care in Germany: rapid review. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:14329-14340. [PMID: 37507594 PMCID: PMC10590309 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05063-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The COVID-19 pandemic affected medical care for chronic diseases. This study aimed to systematically assess the pandemic impact on oncological care in Germany using a rapid review. METHODS MEDLINE, Embase, study and preprint registries and study bibliographies were searched for studies published between 2020 and 2 November 2022. Inclusion was based on the PCC framework: population (cancer), concept (oncological care) and context (COVID-19 pandemic in Germany). Studies were selected after title/abstract and full-text screening by two authors. Extracted data were synthesized using descriptive statistics or narratively. Risk of bias was assessed and summarized using descriptive statistics. RESULTS Overall, 77 records (59 peer-reviewed studies and 18 reports) with administrative, cancer registry and survey data were included. Disruptions in oncological care were reported and varied according to pandemic-related factors (e.g., pandemic stage) and other (non-pandemic) factors (e.g., care details). During higher restriction periods fewer consultations and non-urgent surgeries, and delayed diagnosis and screening were consistently reported. Heterogeneous results were reported for treatment types other than surgery (e.g., psychosocial care) and aftercare, while ongoing care remained mostly unchanged. The risk of bias was on average moderate. CONCLUSIONS Disruptions in oncological care were reported during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Such disruptions probably depended on factors that were insufficiently controlled for in statistical analyses and evidence quality was on average only moderate. Research focus on patient outcomes (e.g., longer term consequences of disruptions) and pandemic management by healthcare systems is potentially relevant for future pandemics or health emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Karolina De Santis
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology- BIPS, Bremen, Germany.
| | - Stefanie Helmer
- Faculty 11 Human and Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Barnes
- German Center for Cancer Registry Data, Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Kraywinkel
- German Center for Cancer Registry Data, Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Berlin, Germany
| | - Maren Imhoff
- German Center for Cancer Registry Data, Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Mathia Kirstein
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology- BIPS, Bremen, Germany
| | - Anna Quatmann
- Faculty 11 Human and Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Julia Simke
- Faculty 11 Human and Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Lisa Stiens
- Faculty 11 Human and Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Lara Christianson
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology- BIPS, Bremen, Germany
| | - Hajo Zeeb
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology- BIPS, Bremen, Germany
- Faculty 11 Human and Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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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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COVID-19 Pandemic Effects on Clinic Schedule Patterns. J Ambul Care Manage 2022; 45:343-345. [PMID: 36006392 DOI: 10.1097/jac.0000000000000436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Patients with Malignant Melanoma at a Romanian Academic Center: A Four-Year Retrospective Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148499. [PMID: 35886351 PMCID: PMC9317187 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Considering cancer patients may be at an increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease, their oncologic treatment cannot be delayed without risking their oncologic outcomes. Considering this, a comprehensive evaluation is required for the management of malignant diseases such as melanoma. The current study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the delivery of cancer care services for patients diagnosed with malignant melanoma in Romania; to document the difference in patients’ addressability and melanoma staging between the pandemic and pre-pandemic periods; as well as to determine the risk factors responsible for disease progression during the pandemic. We developed a retrospective analysis using a monocentric hospital database to compare the final 24 months of the pre-pandemic era to the first 24 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. All outpatients and inpatients with a diagnosis of malignant melanoma were screened during the study period and included in the analysis if matching the inclusion criteria. A total of 301 patients were included in the study, with 163 cases identified in the 24 months before the COVID-19 pandemic and 138 patients during the first 24 months of the pandemic. It was observed during the first two lockdown periods from March to May 2020, and, respectively, from October to December 2020, that significantly fewer patients with malignant melanoma presented for specialized medical care, while there was a statistically significantly lower proportion of outpatients due to COVID-19 restrictions (18.1% vs. 42.9%). The average Breslow depth was 1.1 mm before the pandemic, compared with 1.8 mm during the pandemic (p-value < 0.001). Third-stage patients were the most prevalent during both study periods, although with a statistically significant difference during the pandemic, with an increase from 90 (55.2%) patients to 94 (68.1%) (p-value < 0.001). The significant risk factors for disease progression were advanced AJCC stage (HR = 3.48), high Breslow index (HR = 3.19), postponed treatment (HR = 2.46), missed appointments (HR = 2.31), anemia at presentation (HR = 1.60), and patient’s age (HR = 1.57). After the pandemic limitations are brought to an end, a broad skin-cancer-screening campaign is warranted to detect the missed cases during COVID-19.
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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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7
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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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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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Caini S, Brusasco M, Niero G, De Giorgi V, Lombardo M, Massone C, Medri M, Palmieri G, Pizzichetta M, Quaglino P, Satta R, Feliciani C, Gandini S, Stanganelli I. Health Care and Safety of Patients with Melanoma during the COVID‐19 Pandemic in Italy. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2022; 36:e510-e512. [PMID: 35278222 PMCID: PMC9115002 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.18056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Caini
- Cancer Risk Factors and Lifestyle Epidemiology Unit Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO) Florence Italy
| | - M. Brusasco
- Section of Dermatology Department of Medicine and Surgery University of Parma Parma Italy
| | - G. Niero
- Italian Association of Melanoma Patients (AIMaMe) Rome Italy
| | - V. De Giorgi
- Department of Dermatology University of Florence Florence Italy
| | - M. Lombardo
- Department of Dermatology Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi Varese Italy
| | - C. Massone
- Dermatology Unit Galliera Hospital Genoa Italy
| | - M. Medri
- Skin Cancer Unit Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Meldola FC Italy
| | - G. Palmieri
- Immuno‐Oncology & Cancer Biotherapies University of Sassari ‐ Unit of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research – National Research Council (IRGB‐CNR) Sassari Italy
| | - M.A. Pizzichetta
- Dermatologic Clinic University of Trieste Trieste Italy
- Department of Medical Oncology Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO), (IRCCS) Aviano Italy
| | - P. Quaglino
- Dermatologic Clinic Department of Medical Sciences University of Turin Medical School Turin Italy
| | - R. Satta
- Department of Surgical Microsurgical and Medical Sciences Unit of Dermatology University of Sassari Sassari Italy
| | - C. Feliciani
- Section of Dermatology Department of Medicine and Surgery University of Parma Parma Italy
| | - S. Gandini
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics European Institute of Oncology Milan Italy
| | - I. Stanganelli
- Section of Dermatology Department of Medicine and Surgery University of Parma Parma Italy
- Italian Association of Melanoma Patients (AIMaMe) Rome Italy
- Department of Dermatology University of Florence Florence Italy
- Department of Dermatology Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi Varese Italy
- Dermatology Unit Galliera Hospital Genoa Italy
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10
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Emergency Use and Efficacy of an Asynchronous Teledermatology System as a Novel Tool for Early Diagnosis of Skin Cancer during the First Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19052699. [PMID: 35270391 PMCID: PMC8910370 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19052699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Background: After the outbreak of the corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, teledermatology was implemented in the Hungarian public healthcare system for the first time. Our objective was to assess aggregated diagnostic agreements and to determine the effectiveness of an asynchronous teledermatology system for skin cancer screening. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included cases submitted for teledermatology consultation during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Follow-up of the patients was performed to collect the results of any subsequent personal examination. Results: 749 patients with 779 lesions were involved. 15 malignant melanomas (9.9%), 78 basal cell carcinomas (51.3%), 21 squamous cell carcinomas (13.8%), 7 other malignancies (4.6%) and 31 actinic keratoses (20.4%) were confirmed. 87 malignancies were diagnosed in the high-urgency group (42.2%), 49 malignancies in the moderate-urgency group (21.6%) and 16 malignancies in the low-urgency group (4.6%) (p < 0.0001). Agreement of malignancies was substantial for primary (86.3%; κ = 0.647) and aggregated diagnoses (85.3%; κ = 0.644). Agreement of total lesions was also substantial for primary (81.2%; κ = 0.769) and aggregated diagnoses (87.9%; κ = 0.754). Conclusions: Our findings showed that asynchronous teledermatology using a mobile phone application served as an accurate skin cancer screening system during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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