O Impacto da Pandemia COVID-19 no Diagnóstico de Melanoma Cutâneo: um Estudo Multicêntrico em Portugal

Objective: Malignant melanoma (MM) is among the most lethal skin cancers, with early diagnosis being essential for timely treatment and favorable prognosis. The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic-related disruptions in global healthcare systems affected cancer screening and treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis and prognosis of MM. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all histopathology-confirmed MMs diagnosed between 2019 and 2022 was conducted in three dermatology departments in Lisbon. Histopathology reports and medical records of included patients were reviewed and data of interest analyzed. Data from the pandemic period (2020 and 2021) were compared to the pre and post-pandemic ones (2019 and 2022, respectively). Results: During the study period, a total of 644 MMs were diagnosed. When compared to the post-pandemic period, we observed a significant association between the pandemic group and a higher median Breslow thickness, ulcerated tumors, locoregional metastases, and more advanced stages (≥ T1B, final staging ≥ IIB) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: With the pandemic group being associated with unfavorable prognostic factors, we believe that restricted access to healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic may have had a negative impact on the morbimortality of patients with MM.