Head and Neck Cancer during COVID-19 pandemic: Diagnosis and treatment delays?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34631/sporl.1088Keywords:
COVID-19, Head and neck cancer, Delayed Diagnoses, Time-to-treatmentAbstract
Objectives: To evaluate the impact of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).
Study design: Clinical data analysis of HNC patients who started treatment before COVID-19 pandemic period: from September 1st, 2018 to March 10th, 2020 (Group A) and after COVID-19 pandemic period: from March 11th, 2020 to September 30th, 2021 (Group B).
Results: We included 177 patients. After the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, there was larger tumoral extent and more advanced regional lymph node involvement. Moreover, there was a longer duration of symptoms until medical evaluation (p=0,009). However, the time interval between the histological diagnosis and the beginning of the treatment was shorter (p=0,008), even in the subgroup of patients who underwent surgery.
Conclusions: Despite the significant delay in seeking medical care, there was a quick response in approaching patients with HNC during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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