The impact of COVID-19 pandemics on malignant melanoma: the experience of a single center

Abstract

Introduction: The pandemic outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) greatly restricted routine healthcare services across Europe, including cancer diagnosis and treatment. Amongst skin cancers, malignant melanoma (MM) is responsible for most deaths. Objective: This study aimed to compare the number and characteristics of diagnosed MM cases before and during the pandemic in a Portuguese secondary hospital. Methods: This was an observational, retrospective study comparing a prepandemic (diagnosis from March 2019 to February 2020) and a pandemic group of patients with MM diagnosis (diagnosis between March 2020 and February 2021). Results: A total of 59 patients were included, 44 in the pre-pandemic group and 15 in the pandemic period. In the first year of the pandemic, there was a significantly lower number of MM diagnoses compared to the precedent year (15 vs 44, p < 0.01), without significant differences in tumor characteristics. The time from referral to first consultation was slightly shorter in the pandemic group (median of 36 vs 76 days, p = 0.056). Conclusions: This study provides evidence of a reduction in MM diagnosis during the first year of the COVID pandemic, despite no significant differences in prognostic factors. As the pandemic persists, one must emphasize the importance of early MM diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords

• Skin cancer. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Malignant melanoma. Coronavirus disease of 2019.