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The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Patients with Malignant Melanoma at a Romanian Academic Center: A Four-Year Retrospective Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Hazzaa Aabed

    (Department of Plastic Surgery, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania)

  • Vlad Bloanca

    (Department of Plastic Surgery, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania)

  • Zorin Crainiceanu

    (Department of Plastic Surgery, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania)

  • Felix Bratosin

    (Methodological and Infectious Diseases Research Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania)

  • Cosmin Citu

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania)

  • Mircea Mihai Diaconu

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania)

  • Ovidiu Ciorica

    (Business Administration and Economics Faculty, West University of Timisoara, Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi Street 16, 300115 Timisoara, Romania)

  • Tiberiu Bratu

    (Department of Plastic Surgery, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania)

Abstract

Considering cancer patients may be at an increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease, their oncologic treatment cannot be delayed without risking their oncologic outcomes. Considering this, a comprehensive evaluation is required for the management of malignant diseases such as melanoma. The current study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the delivery of cancer care services for patients diagnosed with malignant melanoma in Romania; to document the difference in patients’ addressability and melanoma staging between the pandemic and pre-pandemic periods; as well as to determine the risk factors responsible for disease progression during the pandemic. We developed a retrospective analysis using a monocentric hospital database to compare the final 24 months of the pre-pandemic era to the first 24 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. All outpatients and inpatients with a diagnosis of malignant melanoma were screened during the study period and included in the analysis if matching the inclusion criteria. A total of 301 patients were included in the study, with 163 cases identified in the 24 months before the COVID-19 pandemic and 138 patients during the first 24 months of the pandemic. It was observed during the first two lockdown periods from March to May 2020, and, respectively, from October to December 2020, that significantly fewer patients with malignant melanoma presented for specialized medical care, while there was a statistically significantly lower proportion of outpatients due to COVID-19 restrictions (18.1% vs. 42.9%). The average Breslow depth was 1.1 mm before the pandemic, compared with 1.8 mm during the pandemic ( p -value < 0.001). Third-stage patients were the most prevalent during both study periods, although with a statistically significant difference during the pandemic, with an increase from 90 (55.2%) patients to 94 (68.1%) ( p -value < 0.001). The significant risk factors for disease progression were advanced AJCC stage (HR = 3.48), high Breslow index (HR = 3.19), postponed treatment (HR = 2.46), missed appointments (HR = 2.31), anemia at presentation (HR = 1.60), and patient’s age (HR = 1.57). After the pandemic limitations are brought to an end, a broad skin-cancer-screening campaign is warranted to detect the missed cases during COVID-19.

Suggested Citation

  • Hazzaa Aabed & Vlad Bloanca & Zorin Crainiceanu & Felix Bratosin & Cosmin Citu & Mircea Mihai Diaconu & Ovidiu Ciorica & Tiberiu Bratu, 2022. "The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Patients with Malignant Melanoma at a Romanian Academic Center: A Four-Year Retrospective Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:14:p:8499-:d:860769
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rosi Wang & Charlotte Helf & Linda Tizek & Ruth Neuhauser & Kilian Eyerich & Alexander Zink & Bernadette Eberlein & Tilo Biedermann & Knut Brockow & Alexander Boehner, 2020. "The Impact and Consequences of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on a Single University Dermatology Outpatient Clinic in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-10, August.
    2. Kevin Linka & Mathias Peirlinck & Francisco Sahli Costabal & Ellen Kuhl, 2020. "Outbreak dynamics of COVID-19 in Europe and the effect of travel restrictions," Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(11), pages 710-717, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ana-Olivia Toma & Mihaela Prodan & Akash Reddy Reddyreddy & Edward Seclaman & Zorin Crainiceanu & Vlad Bloanca & Felix Bratosin & Catalin Dumitru & Ciprian Nicolae Pilut & Satish Alambaram & Neeharika, 2022. "The Epidemiology of Malignant Melanoma during the First Two Years of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-15, December.

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