The impact of COVID19 on the presentation, diagnosis and management of cutaneous melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma in a single tertiary referral centre

McClean, Adam; Matteucci, Paolo; Totty, Joshua

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had a substantial impact on the provision of surgical services worldwide1. In the United Kingdom, staff redeployment and reduced staffing due to infection and self-isolation has reduced the availability of clinic slots and theatre lists. Additionally, there has been a substantial reduction in the volume of patients presenting to general practice and hospitals during the height of the pandemic1. The potential compounded effects of a reduction in referrals along skin cancer pathways and availability of specialist review and intervention has placed patients at risk of delayed investigation, diagnosis, and treatment, and incurred a possibility of adverse outcomes and an increase in morbidity and mortality.2,3 The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the pandemic upon patients presenting to a speciality skin cancer service.

Citation

McClean, A., Matteucci, P., & Totty, J. (in press). The impact of COVID19 on the presentation, diagnosis and management of cutaneous melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma in a single tertiary referral centre. Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2022.06.062

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 10, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Jun 22, 2022
• Deposit Date: Jul 7, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 23, 2023
• Journal: Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS
• Print ISSN: 1748-6815
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2022.06.062
• Keywords: COVID19; Melanoma; Squamous cell carcinoma; Presentation; Diagnosis; Staging
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4024507