Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on care of melanoma patients in Berlin, Germany: the Mela-COVID survey

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic imposes major challenges for care of cancer patients. Objectives: Our aim was to assess the effects of the pandemic on treatment and appointments of patients with malignant melanoma based on a large skin cancer centre in Berlin, Germany, and identify reasons for, and impact factors associated with these changes. Materials & Methods: Patients with melanoma treated from January 1 st 2019 received a postal survey with questions on impairment due to the pandemic, fear of COVID-19, fear of melanoma, changes in therapy and/or appointments, including reasons for the changes. Impact factors on postponed/missed appointments were examined using descriptive analyses and multivariate logistic regression. Results: The response rate was 41.3% (n = 324; 57.4% males; mean age: 67.9 years). Among 104 participants currently receiving therapy, four (3.8%) reported treatment changes due to the pandemic. Postponements or cancellations of appointments occurred in 48 participants (14.8%), most frequently, at their own request (81.3%) due to fear of SARS-CoV-2 infection (68.8%). Current treatment was associated with a reduced chance of postponing/missing appointments (OR = 0.208, p = 0.003), whereas a high or very high level of concern for COVID-19 (OR = 6.806, p = 0.034; OR = 10.097, p = 0.038), SARS-CoV-2 infection among close acquaintances (OR = 4.251, p = 0.026), anxiety disorder (OR = 5.465, p = 0.016) and AJCC stage IV (OR = 3.108, p = 0.048) were associated with a higher likelihood of postponing/missing appointments. Conclusion: Among our participants, treatment changes were rare and the proportion of missed/delayed appointments was rather small. The main reasons for delays/cancellations of appointments were anxiety and concern for COVID-19.

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

“…In addition to its widespread use during the pandemic, teledermatology could serve as an effective tool for the early diagnosis of skin cancer [ 25 ]. 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 ].…”

Healthcare and safety of patients with melanoma during the COVID‐19 Pandemic in Italy

“…In terms of healthcare quality, Teuscher et al . 7 and Raza et al . 8 observed a 15–17% of postponed or cancelled appointments, mostly due to concern about COVID‐19.…”

“…Survey questionnaireThe dermatological examination in which melanoma was diagnosed took place: Teuscher et al7 and Raza et al8 observed a 15-17% of postponed or cancelled appointments, mostly due to concern about COVID-19. Furthermore, in Raza et al,…”

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

“…These results match the majority of the modeling, prediction, and supposition that shows a significant number of cancer cases were overlooked throughout the continuing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. In addition, a major concern is determined by the possibility that a significant number of patients who were initially diagnosed with skin cancer that was curable in the early stages became incurable in later stages due to skipped appointments, deliberately refused treatment, or intentionally delayed treatment due to fear of SARS-CoV-2 infection, as previously observed [ 34 ].…”