Abstract
Background: Due to COVID-19, diagnostic delays and a surge of advanced head and neck cancer (HNC) is anticipated. We hereby evaluate patient and tumor characteristics before and during the early COVID-19 period. Methods: Retrospective review of patients with HNC presented at a multidisciplinary tumor conference from May 14, 2020 to June 18, 2020 was performed and compared to a similar 6-week period a year before. Demographics, time to diagnosis, and tumor characteristics were analyzed. Results: There was a 25% reduction in newly diagnosed malignancies. Groups were similar in baseline characteristics, duration of symptoms, and time to diagnosis. However, median primary tumor size was significantly larger (p = 0.042) and T stage more advanced for mucosal subsites (p = 0.025) in the COVID-19 group. Conclusion: Our findings suggest increased tumor burden in patients with HNC presenting during the pandemic, despite a similar time to diagnosis. This may become more pronounced as the pandemic duration is extended.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 1890-1897 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Head and Neck |
Volume | 43 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2021 |
Keywords
- COVID-19
- SARS-COV2
- head and neck cancer
- head and neck surgery
- health care
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Otorhinolaryngology