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COVID-19 is Affecting the Presentation and Treatment of Melanoma Patients in the Northeastern United States.
Davis, Catherine H; Ho, Jason; Greco, Stephanie H; Koshenkov, Vadim P; Vidri, Roberto J; Farma, Jeffrey M; Berger, Adam C.
  • Davis CH; Division of Surgical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
  • Ho J; Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson University Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
  • Greco SH; Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson University Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
  • Koshenkov VP; Division of Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
  • Vidri RJ; Division of Surgical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
  • Farma JM; Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson University Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
  • Berger AC; Division of Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Ann Surg Oncol ; 29(3): 1629-1635, 2022 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1526674
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Covid-19 significantly affected healthcare delivery over the past year, with a shift in focus away from nonurgent care. Emerging data are showing that screening for breast and colon cancer has dramatically decreased. It is unknown whether the same trend has affected patients with melanoma.

METHODS:

This is a retrospective cohort study of melanoma patients at two large-volume cancer centers. Patients were compared for 8 months before and after the lockdown. Outcomes focused on delay in treatment and possible resultant upstaging of melanoma.

RESULTS:

A total of 375 patients were treated pre-lockdown and 313 patients were treated post-lockdown (17% decrease). Fewer patients presented with in situ disease post-lockdown (15.3% vs. 17.9%), and a higher proportion presented with stage III-IV melanoma (11.2% vs. 9.9%). Comparing patients presenting 2 months before versus 2 months after the lockdown, there was an even more significant increase in Stage III-IV melanoma from 7.1% to 27.5% (p < 0.0001). Finally, in Stage IIIB-IIID patients, there was a decrease in patients receiving adjuvant therapy in the post lockdown period (20.0% vs. 15.2%).

CONCLUSIONS:

As a result of the recent pandemic, it appears there has been a shift away from melanoma in situ and toward more advanced disease, which may have significant downstream effects on prognosis and could be due to a delay in screening. Significantly patients have presented after the lockdown, and fewer patients are undergoing the recommended adjuvant therapies. Patient outreach efforts are essential to ensure that patients continue to receive preventative medical care and screening as the pandemic continues.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 / Melanoma Type of study: Cohort study / Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Ann Surg Oncol Journal subject: Neoplasms Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S10434-021-11086-8

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 / Melanoma Type of study: Cohort study / Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Ann Surg Oncol Journal subject: Neoplasms Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S10434-021-11086-8