Volume 43, Issue 6 pp. 1890-1897

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

The impact of COVID-19 on head and neck cancer diagnosis and disease extent

Kimberley L. Kiong MBBS,

Corresponding Author

Kimberley L. Kiong MBBS

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0001-6999-4195

Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore

Correspondence

Kimberley L. Kiong, Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, 20 College Road, Level 5 Academia, Singapore 169856, Singapore.

Email: [email protected]

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Edward M. Diaz BSc,

Edward M. Diaz BSc

Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

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Neil D. Gross MD,

Neil D. Gross MD

orcid.org/0000-0002-9427-0743

Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

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Eduardo M. Diaz Jr. MD,

Eduardo M. Diaz Jr. MD

Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

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Ehab Y. Hanna MD,

Ehab Y. Hanna MD

Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

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Kimberley L. Kiong MBBS,

Corresponding Author

Kimberley L. Kiong MBBS

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0001-6999-4195

Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore

Correspondence

Kimberley L. Kiong, Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, 20 College Road, Level 5 Academia, Singapore 169856, Singapore.

Email: [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author

Edward M. Diaz BSc,

Edward M. Diaz BSc

Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

Search for more papers by this author

Neil D. Gross MD,

Neil D. Gross MD

orcid.org/0000-0002-9427-0743

Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

Search for more papers by this author

Eduardo M. Diaz Jr. MD,

Eduardo M. Diaz Jr. MD

Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

Search for more papers by this author

Ehab Y. Hanna MD,

Ehab Y. Hanna MD

Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

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First published: 02 March 2021

https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.26665

Citations: 28

Ehab Y. Hanna, MD, Editor, was recused from consideration of this manuscript.

Section Editor: Dennis Kraus

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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.

Open Research

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Citing Literature

Volume43, Issue6

June 2021

Pages 1890-1897

The impact of COVID-19 on head and neck cancer diagnosis and disease extent

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Open Research

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

Information

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The impact of COVID-19 on head and neck cancer diagnosis and disease extent

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Open Research

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

Related

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