COVID-19-Induced Reduction in Primary Melanoma Diagnoses: Experience from a Dermatopathology Referral Center

Hoellwerth, Magdalena; Kaiser, Andreas; Emberger, Michael; Brandlmaier, Matthias; Laimer, Martin; Egger, Alexander; Bauer, Johann; Koelblinger, Peter

doi:10.3390/jcm10184059

Cited by 15 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Similar data on the Breslow thickness was also reported by another Austrian group. 6 However, these results differ from data reported in Italy, where lockdown phases were longer, and regulations were stricter than in Austria. 3 A significant change in Breslow thickness could have been found if longer lockdowns had been implemented in Austria.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 62%

“…Ours and other studies show that fewer melanomas were diagnosed during the first lockdown period, probably due to postponed or missed consultations induced by government regulations. 6 The increase in melanoma diagnoses seen during the second lockdown (first lockdown, 0.87 melanomas per day vs. second lockdown, 2.49 melanomas per day), may be explained by the fact that government measures and their widespread consequences may have become less effective compared to the first lockdown, probably because of decreased awareness or decreased fear of the population later in 2020. The increase in melanoma diagnoses during the second lockdown probably reflects delayed medical checkups during the first lockdown.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If this were true, an increased number of melanomas following a ‘lockdown’ would have been diagnosed, and the tumours would have shown a greater Breslow thickness. 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 To check this hypothesis, we investigated the impact of ‘lockdowns’ on the diagnosis of melanoma in Austria.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on melanoma diagnoses

Weltler

Rappersberger

Filzmoser

et al. 2022

JEADV Clinical Practice

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Introduction We investigated whether governmental measures and lockdowns during the COVID‐19 pandemic had an impact on the number and histopathologic stages of melanoma. Methods The number and thickness (Breslow) of all diagnosed melanomas per day, month, or period at the ‘Institute for Pathology in the Centre’ in 2019 and 2020 were compared. For 2020, we defined four time periods: Period 1: 1 January–15 March; Period 2: 16 March–15 May (Lockdown 1); Period 3: 16 May–2 November; Period 4: 3 November–7 December (Lockdown 2). Results We found similar melanoma numbers in 2019 (577) and 2020 (608). The mean number of diagnoses per day during Lockdown 1 (Period 2) was significantly lower (0.87 melanomas/day; p = 0.005) when compared to the respective time periods in 2019 and to the other three periods in 2020 (Period 1: 1.65 melanomas/day, Period 3: 1.77 melanomas/day, and Period 4: 2.49 melanomas/day). Tumour thickness in July 2020 (1.9 mm) was significantly higher ( p = 0.02) than in July 2019 (1.1 mm). Discussion The significant lower number of histopathologic diagnoses of melanoma during ‘Lockdown 1’ may be explained by postponed or missed patient consultations. This assumption is supported by the demonstration of a higher tumour thickness in July and August 2020, compared to 2019.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 62%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on melanoma diagnoses

Weltler

Rappersberger

Filzmoser

et al. 2022

JEADV Clinical Practice

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The negative impacts of COVID-19 pandemic have been already reported in the management of skin cancers [ 26 , 27 ]. It can only be estimated that during the first wave of the pandemic how many patients were affected by a delayed diagnosis and treatment with skin cancers [ 28 , 29 , 30 ]. In skin cancer screening, new methods of early detection has appeared during the past years due to the technical improvements of mobile phone cameras [ 31 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emergency Use and Efficacy of an Asynchronous Teledermatology System as a Novel Tool for Early Diagnosis of Skin Cancer during the First Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic

Jobbágy

Kiss

Meznerics

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Background: After the outbreak of the corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, teledermatology was implemented in the Hungarian public healthcare system for the first time. Our objective was to assess aggregated diagnostic agreements and to determine the effectiveness of an asynchronous teledermatology system for skin cancer screening. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included cases submitted for teledermatology consultation during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Follow-up of the patients was performed to collect the results of any subsequent personal examination. Results: 749 patients with 779 lesions were involved. 15 malignant melanomas (9.9%), 78 basal cell carcinomas (51.3%), 21 squamous cell carcinomas (13.8%), 7 other malignancies (4.6%) and 31 actinic keratoses (20.4%) were confirmed. 87 malignancies were diagnosed in the high-urgency group (42.2%), 49 malignancies in the moderate-urgency group (21.6%) and 16 malignancies in the low-urgency group (4.6%) (p < 0.0001). Agreement of malignancies was substantial for primary (86.3%; κ = 0.647) and aggregated diagnoses (85.3%; κ = 0.644). Agreement of total lesions was also substantial for primary (81.2%; κ = 0.769) and aggregated diagnoses (87.9%; κ = 0.754). Conclusions: Our findings showed that asynchronous teledermatology using a mobile phone application served as an accurate skin cancer screening system during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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“…The COVID‐19 pandemic prompted drastic containment measures and a rearrangement of healthcare services. Several papers highlighted the reduction of melanoma diagnoses and related activities 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ; however, limited data are available on healthcare quality and patient safety. 6 …”

Section: Tablementioning

confidence: 99%