IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v20y2022i1p305-d1014218.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Epidemiology of Malignant Melanoma during the First Two Years of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Ana-Olivia Toma

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

  • Mihaela Prodan

    (Department of Plastic Surgery, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
    Doctoral School, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania)

  • Akash Reddy Reddyreddy

    (School of General Medicine, Bhaskar Medical College, Amdapur Road 156-162, Hyderabad 500075, India)

  • Edward Seclaman

    (Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
    Center for Complex Networks Science, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania)

  • Zorin Crainiceanu

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

  • Vlad Bloanca

    (Department of Plastic Surgery, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 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)

  • Catalin Dumitru

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

  • Ciprian Nicolae Pilut

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

  • Satish Alambaram

    (School of General Medicine, Bhaskar Medical College, Amdapur Road 156-162, Hyderabad 500075, India)

  • Neeharika Gayatri Vasamsetti

    (Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences, Nizampura, Warangal, Telangana 506007, India)

  • Luminita Decean

    (Faculty of General Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, Strada Gheorghe Marinescu 38, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania)

  • Marius Pricop

    (Discipline of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania)

Abstract

It is hypothesized that the COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on the epidemiology of malignant melanoma owing to diminished screening, diagnostic, and treatment capacities, resulting in a more advanced stage at initial presentation. The goal of this study is to undertake a systematic analysis of all epidemiological and clinical data on the trends and patient outcomes with malignant melanoma during the ongoing pandemic. Records were identified from PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science, selecting a total of 39 articles, narrative reviews, and editorial letters, following the PRISMA guidelines. The vast majority of the studies were published in Europe (28/39), and North America (7/39). A total of 99,860 patients were analyzed during 2020 and 2021 of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was observed that malignant melanoma TNM staging increased significantly compared to the pre-pandemic period. Before the pandemic, 25.88% of patients had TNM stage II or above, compared to 36.25% during 2020–2021. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the malignant melanoma Breslow depth index grew from 1.59 mm before 2020 to 1.86 mm in 2020 and 2021. Patients decreased by 19.58% in 2020 and 2021 compared to pre-pandemic numbers. The patient–loss ratio indicated lower screening activity and patient addressability to dermatology and plastic surgery departments with skin cancer concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. This systematic study shows that the identification and management of malignant melanoma during the COVID-19 pandemic faced major challenges which should alert medical systems to the high number of patients with advanced disease stages who may need emergency treatment and become incurable.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2022:i:1:p:305-:d:1014218
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/1/305/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/1/305/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Iasmina Petrovici & Mihaela Ionica & Octavian C. Neagoe, 2021. "Economic Crisis: A Factor for the Delayed Diagnosis of Breast Cancer," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-10, April.
    2. Alicia Núñez & S. D. Sreeganga & Arkalgud Ramaprasad, 2021. "Access to Healthcare during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-12, March.
    3. 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.
    4. Georgina Pujolar & Aida Oliver-Anglès & Ingrid Vargas & María-Luisa Vázquez, 2022. "Changes in Access to Health Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-31, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Michał Czapla & Raúl Juárez-Vela & Katarzyna Łokieć & Marta Wleklik & Piotr Karniej & Jacek Smereka, 2022. "The Association between Nutritional Status and Length of Hospital Stay among Patients with Hypertension," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-13, May.
    2. Kamila Jaroń & Angelika Jastrzębska & Kamil Mąkosza & Mateusz Grajek & Karolina Krupa-Kotara & Joanna Kobza, 2023. "Availability of Medical Services and Teleconsultation during COVID-19 Pandemic in the Opinion of Patients of Hematology Clinics—A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study (Silesia, Poland)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-12, February.
    3. Giacomo Pietro Vigezzi & Paola Bertuccio & Andrea Amerio & Cristina Bosetti & Davide Gori & Luca Cavalieri d’Oro & Licia Iacoviello & David Stuckler & Alberto Zucchi & Silvano Gallus & Anna Odone & Lo, 2022. "Older Adults’ Access to Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from the LOckdown and LifeSTyles (LOST) in Lombardia Project," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-14, September.
    4. Kristine Andrea Narita, 2023. "Which Direction to Take Further Research on the Impacts of Telomere Attrition on Aging, Age-Related Diseases, and Overall Healthcare Expenditures," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-15, July.
    5. Vania Martínez & Marcelo A. Crockett & Ajay Chandra & Sarah Shabbir Suwasrawala & Arkalgud Ramaprasad & Alicia Núñez & Marcelo Gómez-Rojas, 2022. "State of Mental Health Research of Adolescents and Youth in Chile: An Ontological Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-13, August.
    6. Justyna Grudziąż-Sękowska & Kuba Sękowski & Bartosz Kobuszewski, 2022. "Healthcare Utilization and Adherence to Treatment Recommendations among Children with Type 1 Diabetes in Poland during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-14, April.
    7. Coilín ÓhAiseadha & Gerry A. Quinn & Ronan Connolly & Awwad Wilson & Michael Connolly & Willie Soon & Paul Hynds, 2023. "Unintended Consequences of COVID-19 Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) for Population Health and Health Inequalities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-40, March.
    8. Norizzati Amsah & Zaleha Md Isa & Norfazilah Ahmad & Mohd Rizal Abdul Manaf, 2023. "Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Utilization among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-15, March.
    9. Merili Tamson & Rainer Reile & Diana Sokurova & Kaire Innos & Eha Nurk & Kaia Laidra & Sigrid Vorobjov, 2022. "Health-Related Quality of Life and Its Socio-Demographic and Behavioural Correlates during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Estonia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-12, July.
    10. Joel Oommen George & Suzanne Elayan & Martin Sykora & Marin Solter & Rob Feick & Christopher Hewitt & Yiqiao Liu & Ketan Shankardass, 2023. "The Role of Social Media in Building Pandemic Resilience in an Urban Community: A Qualitative Case Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(17), pages 1-18, September.
    11. Asuka Takeda & Yuichi Ando & Jun Tomio, 2023. "Long- and Short-Term Trends in Outpatient Attendance by Speciality in Japan: A Joinpoint Regression Analysis in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(23), pages 1-12, December.
    12. Ajay Chandra & S. D. Sreeganga & Nibedita Rath & Arkalgud Ramaprasad, 2023. "Healthcare Policies to Eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in India: A Roadmap," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(19), pages 1-19, September.
    13. Dimitra Sifaki-Pistolla & Vasiliki Eirini Chatzea & Enkeleint A. Mechili & Filippos Koinis & Vassilis Georgoulias & Christos Lionis & Nikos Tzanakis, 2022. "Spatio-Temporal Variation of Lung Cancer in Crete, 1992–2013. Economic or Health Crisis?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-10, September.
    14. Ferdinando Petrazzuoli & Claire Collins & Esther Van Poel & Athina Tatsioni & Sven Streit & Gazmend Bojaj & Radost Asenova & Kathryn Hoffmann & Jonila Gabrani & Zalika Klemenc-Ketis & Andrée Rochfort , 2023. "Differences between Rural and Urban Practices in the Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Outcomes from the PRICOV-19 Study in 38 Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-13, February.
    15. Michael Roguski & Tara N. Officer & Solmaz Nazari Orakani & Gretchen Good & Daniela Händler-Schuster & Karen McBride-Henry, 2022. "Ableism, Human Rights, and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Healthcare-Related Barriers Experienced by Deaf People in Aotearoa New Zealand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-17, December.
    16. Tegan Podubinski & Louise Townsin & Sandra C. Thompson & Anna Tynan & Geoff Argus, 2021. "Experience of Healthcare Access in Australia during the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-15, October.
    17. Magdalena Tuczyńska & Rafał Staszewski & Maja Matthews-Kozanecka & Ewa Baum, 2022. "Impact of Socioeconomic Status on the Perception of Accessibility to and Quality of Healthcare Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Poles—Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-10, May.
    18. Tapager, Ina & Joensen, Lene Eide & Vrangbæk, Karsten, 2022. "The role of self-efficacy, well-being capability and diabetes care assessment for emotional and diabetes management challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from a follow-up study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 310(C).
    19. Gregório, Beatriz Cagigal & Pereira, Miguel Alves & Costa, Ana Sara, 2024. "Multi-criteria decision-aiding for public hospitals: The role of interactions among pairs of access and quality criteria," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    20. Conțiu Tiberiu Șoitu & Silviu-Petru Grecu & Romeo Asiminei, 2022. "Health Security, Quality of Life and Democracy during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Comparative Approach in the EU-27 Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-26, November.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2022:i:1:p:305-:d:1014218. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.