Abstract
Background: This is a clinicopathological study comparing the involvement of lymph nodes in various carcinomas before and during the COVID-19 period. During the pandemic the access to healthcare and timely detection and intervention of carcinomas were severely affected. This delay in treatment has led to the progression of malignancies and metastasis to lymph nodes.
 Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of 40 patients (20 from 2019 and 20 from 2021) with carcinomas who were treated by surgical excision of tumour combined with lymph node resection. Histopathological examination of the nodes was done to detect malignant metastasis and the average node positivity rate was calculated.
 Results: Lymph node metastasis was observed in 10 patients in 2019 (50%) and 16 patients in 2021 (80%). The average node positivity rate is significantly higher in 2021 than in 2019, in 2019 it is 31% and in 2021 it is 43%. Lymph node metastasis is expected to increase by 43% in 2021.
 Conclusion: In the Covid-19 pandemic, a significant decrease and delay of patients presenting to the OPD for neoplasms, resulting in a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of advanced-stage neoplasms that manifest as metastases in the regional lymph nodes. Surgeons need to be vigilant and extensively explore the all draining affected lymph nodes and resect them.
Highlights
The development of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by the severe acute respiratory illness coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2), has caused a global public health catastrophe that has never been seen before
There were significant differences in mean ages and sex ratios according to cancer type
The present study evaluated the association of the COVID-19 pandemic with the different cancer stage at diagnosis in the first phase of the pandemic and until the end of 2020
Summary
The development of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by the severe acute respiratory illness coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2), has caused a global public health catastrophe that has never been seen before. The study aims to create awareness for surgeons while approaching oncology case This is a clinicopathological study comparing the involvement of lymph nodes in various carcinomas before and during the COVID-19 period. During the pandemic the access to healthcare and timely detection and intervention of carcinomas were severely affected. This delay in treatment has led to the progression of malignancies and metastasis to lymph nodes. Conclusion: In the Covid-19 pandemic, a significant decrease and delay of patients presenting to the OPD for neoplasms, resulting in a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of advanced-stage neoplasms that manifest as metastases in the regional lymph nodes. Surgeons need to be vigilant and extensively explore the all draining affected lymph nodes and resect them
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
