Melanoma care during one year pandemic in Berlin: decreasing appointment cancellations despite increasing COVID‐19 concern

Micek, Aleksandra; Diehl, Katharina; Teuscher, Miriam; Schaarschmidt, Marthe‐Lisa; Sasama, Bianca; Ohletz, Jan; Burbach, Guido J.; Kiecker, Felix; Hillen, Uwe; Harth, W.; Peitsch, Wiebke K.

doi:10.1111/ddg.14799

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 39 publications

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“…1 ). These included 59 peer-reviewed studies (Arndt et al 2022 ; Balakirski et al 2022 ; Balk et al 2022 ; Bartella et al 2021 ; Beller et al 2022 ; Bollmann et al 2021 ; Brunner et al 2020 ; Buntzel et al 2020 , 2021 ; Dienemann et al 2021 ; Diers et al 2021 , 2022 ; Donath et al 2021 ; Eckford et al 2021 ; Erdmann et al 2021 , 2022 ; Fauser et al 2022 ; Gremke et al 2022 ; Griewing et al 2022a , b ; Gschnell et al 2021 ; Haier et al 2022a , b , c ; Hajek et al 2021 ; Harke et al 2020 , 2022 ; Heimes et al 2021 ; Holzel et al 2022 ; Hunger et al 2022 ; Jacob et al 2021 , 2022 ; Jördens et al 2021 ; Justenhoven and Rieger 2022 ; Kaltofen et al 2022 ; Kapsner et al 2020 ; Kirchberg et al 2021 ; Kleemann et al 2022 ; Kourtidis et al 2022 ; Kuhlen et al 2020 ; Matuschek et al 2020 ; Medenwald et al 2022 ; Micek et al 2022 ; Michalowsky et al 2021 ; Piontek et al 2021 ; Reichardt et al 2021 ; Riemann et al 2021 ; Rupa et al 2020 ; Schuz et al 2022 ; Stang et al 2020 ; Stos et al 2020 ; Struck et al 2022 ; Teuscher et al 2022 ; Voigtlander et al 2021 ; Vu et al 2022 ; Walter et al 2021 , ...…”

Section: Resultsunclassified

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oncological care in Germany: rapid review

De Santis,

Helmer,

Barnes

et al. 2023

J Cancer Res Clin Oncol

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Objectives The COVID-19 pandemic affected medical care for chronic diseases. This study aimed to systematically assess the pandemic impact on oncological care in Germany using a rapid review. Methods MEDLINE, Embase, study and preprint registries and study bibliographies were searched for studies published between 2020 and 2 November 2022. Inclusion was based on the PCC framework: population (cancer), concept (oncological care) and context (COVID-19 pandemic in Germany). Studies were selected after title/abstract and full-text screening by two authors. Extracted data were synthesized using descriptive statistics or narratively. Risk of bias was assessed and summarized using descriptive statistics. Results Overall, 77 records (59 peer-reviewed studies and 18 reports) with administrative, cancer registry and survey data were included. Disruptions in oncological care were reported and varied according to pandemic-related factors (e.g., pandemic stage) and other (non-pandemic) factors (e.g., care details). During higher restriction periods fewer consultations and non-urgent surgeries, and delayed diagnosis and screening were consistently reported. Heterogeneous results were reported for treatment types other than surgery (e.g., psychosocial care) and aftercare, while ongoing care remained mostly unchanged. The risk of bias was on average moderate. Conclusions Disruptions in oncological care were reported during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Such disruptions probably depended on factors that were insufficiently controlled for in statistical analyses and evidence quality was on average only moderate. Research focus on patient outcomes (e.g., longer term consequences of disruptions) and pandemic management by healthcare systems is potentially relevant for future pandemics or health emergencies.

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Section: Resultsunclassified

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oncological care in Germany: rapid review

De Santis,

Helmer,

Barnes

et al. 2023

J Cancer Res Clin Oncol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Changes in experienced quality of oncological cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic based on patient reported outcomes – a cross-sectional study

Aggerholm-Pedersen,

Jellesmark Thorsen,

Møller Tauber

et al. 2024

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Aim: The study aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer patients’ perceptions of the quality of their oncological treatment and care. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare delivery and oncological resources were repurposed, potentially leading to prolonged treatment and reduced access to innovative therapies and clinical trials. Still, little is known about how patients perceived the quality of their treatment. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the spring of 2020 among cancer patients at the Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital and Rigshospitalet, Denmark. Patients were invited to complete an online questionnaire on clinical, socioeconomic, emotional, behavioural, and quality-related aspects of oncological cancer care. Patients who experienced reduced treatment quality and those who reported no or slight reductions were compared using multiple logistic regression, exploring the associations with patient characteristics, behaviours, and fear of cancer progression or recurrence. Results: A total of 2,040/5,372 patients experienced changes in their treatment plans during the pandemic, and 1,570/5,372 patients experienced reduced treatment quality, with 236 reporting a high degree of reduction. Patients with breast, head and neck, and upper gastrointestinal cancers were more likely to experience reduced treatment quality. Altered interactions with healthcare providers, along with isolation, lack of social support, and heightened fear of cancer progression, were significant risk factors for experiencing reduced cancer care quality. Interpretation: We identified subgroups of cancer patients needing targeted communication and care during health crises affecting cancer treatment. The findings underscore the importance of safeguarding the needs of vulnerable patient populations in future healthcare emergencies.

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

Toma

Prodan

Reddyreddy

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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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.

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Melanoma care during one year pandemic in Berlin: decreasing appointment cancellations despite increasing COVID‐19 concern

Cited by 3 publications

References 39 publications

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oncological care in Germany: rapid review

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oncological care in Germany: rapid review

Changes in experienced quality of oncological cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic based on patient reported outcomes – a cross-sectional study

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

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