Abstract
BackgroundThe outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic led to a 2-month lockdown in Europe. Elective surgeries, including skin cancer excisions, were postponed. The purpose of this prospective case-control study was to assess the impact of the treatment delay on patients with non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) or melanoma operated in the first post-lockdown period.MethodsA comparative study of skin cancer operations performed in a 4-month period either in 2020 or in 2019 was conducted. All data were collected from a prospectively maintained clinic database and the pathological reports. Continuous variables were compared with t test or Mann-Whitney U test according to their distribution. Categorical variables were compared with Fisher exact test. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was used to assess the risk of excising high-risk NMSC in 2020 compared with 2019.ResultsSkin cancer excision was performed in 158 cases in 2020 compared to 125 cases in 2019 (26.4% increase). Significantly, more SCC were excised in 2020 (p = 0.024). No significant difference for several clinical parameters regarding BCC, SCC, and melanoma was identified. However, the reconstructive method applied, following NMSC excision, was significantly different, requiring frequently either skin grafting or a flap.ConclusionThese results indicate that skin cancer treatment delay, due to COVID-19 pandemic, is related to an increased incidence of SCC and more complicated methods of reconstruction. Considering the relapsing COVID-19 waves, significant skin cancer treatment delays should be avoided.Trial registrationThe study adhered to the STROBE statement for case-control studies.
Highlights
The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic led to a 2-month lockdown in Europe
Skin cancer excision was performed in 158 cases in 2020 compared to 125 cases in 2019 (26.4% increase)
Either non-melanoma (NMSC, namely, basal cell carcinoma-BCC or squamous cell carcinoma-SCC) or melanoma (MM), who were operated in a 4-month period, between the end of the lockdown and before the hospital restrictions of the second wave (20 May 2020 to 20 September 2020), were included in the study
Summary
Elective surgeries, including skin cancer excisions, were postponed The purpose of this prospective case-control study was to assess the impact of the treatment delay on patients with non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) or melanoma operated in the first post-lockdown period. 45110 Ioannina, Greece elective surgery came to a halt, conserving vital medical resources, increasing ICU bed capacity, and protecting patients and healthcare workers from contracting the disease This phase restricted the access to the healthcare facilities, delayed treatments normally deemed as essential, and discouraged patients from seeking care [1]
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