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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Melanoma Diagnosis: Increased Breslow Thickness in Primary Melanomas—A Single Center Experience

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  • Jelena Jeremić

    (Department of Plastic Surgery, Clinic for Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
    Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Branko Suđecki

    (Department of Plastic Surgery, Clinic for Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Kristina Radenović

    (Department of Plastic Surgery, Clinic for Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Jovan Mihaljević

    (Department of Plastic Surgery, Clinic for Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Ivan Radosavljević

    (Department of Plastic Surgery, Clinic for Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Milan Jovanović

    (Department of Plastic Surgery, Clinic for Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
    Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Nataša Milić

    (Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Vedrana Pavlović

    (Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Dimitrije Brašanac

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
    Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Marko Jović

    (Department of Plastic Surgery, Clinic for Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
    Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

Abstract

Early melanoma diagnosis plays a key role in ensuring best prognosis with good survival rates. The ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted global and national healthcare systems, thus making it a real challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on diagnostic delay in melanoma patients in Serbia. In this retrospective study, we included patients treated at the university hospital in Serbia’s capitol over a period of five years and three months. We compared the prepandemic (01/JAN/17-14/MAR/20) and pandemic periods (15/MAR/20-31/MAR/22) by evaluating patient demographic data, melanoma subtype, Breslow thickness, Clark level, ulceration status, mitotic index rate and pT staging. We observed a significant reduction in the number of diagnosed patients (86.3 vs. 13.7%; p = 0.036), with melanomas having an increased median Breslow thickness (1.80 vs. 3.00; p = 0.010), a higher percentage of Clark IV–V level lesions (44.0% vs. 63.0%; p = 0.009), an increase in median mitotic index rate (2 vs. 5; p < 0.001) and a trend of increase in lesions thicker than 2 mm (37.8% vs. 53.7%; p = 0.026). We believe that this study can be a useful scenario guide for future similar events, highlighting the importance of preventive measures and timely diagnosis for the best patient outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Jelena Jeremić & Branko Suđecki & Kristina Radenović & Jovan Mihaljević & Ivan Radosavljević & Milan Jovanović & Nataša Milić & Vedrana Pavlović & Dimitrije Brašanac & Marko Jović, 2022. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Melanoma Diagnosis: Increased Breslow Thickness in Primary Melanomas—A Single Center Experience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:24:p:16806-:d:1003357
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rosi Wang & Charlotte Helf & Linda Tizek & Ruth Neuhauser & Kilian Eyerich & Alexander Zink & Bernadette Eberlein & Tilo Biedermann & Knut Brockow & Alexander Boehner, 2020. "The Impact and Consequences of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on a Single University Dermatology Outpatient Clinic in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-10, August.
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