Comparison of Tumor Size and Gene Expression at Presentation in Uveal Melanoma Patients before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and gene expression variables of uveal melanoma patients presenting before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as surrogate markers in order to assess the pandemic’s potential impact on care. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of uveal melanoma patients at Retina Consultants of Texas and assessed tumor size, staging, and gene expression data during two time periods: May 2019 to February 2020 (Group 1: Before the COVID-19 pandemic declaration by the WHO in March 2020) and May 2020 to March 2021 (Group 2: After the start of the COVID-19 pandemic). Results: A total of 80 patients with uveal melanoma were studied (Group 1: 40 [50%] and Group 2: 40 [50%]). There was no statistically significant difference in the tumor thickness (p = 0.768), largest base dimension (p = 0.758), Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study size class (p = 0.762), and American Joint Committee on Cancer stages (p = 0.872) between the two groups. Additionally, there was no difference in the tumors’ gene expression data including gene expression profile class (p = 0.587) and PRAME expressivity (p = 0.861) between the two groups. Discussion/Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic had no effect on the presentation of uveal melanoma patients across all tumor characteristics including size, staging, and gene expression data, suggesting there was not a significant diagnostic delay in care for uveal melanoma patients at our center due to the pandemic.