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- Title
Delay in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Diagnosis Due to Interrupted Services Is Associated with Worse Prognoses and Modified Surgical Approaches.
- Authors
Taccioli, Filippo; Blessent, Claudio Gio Francesco; Paganelli, Alessia; Fagioli, Francesca; Chester, Johanna Mary; Kaleci, Shaniko; Costantini, Matteo; Ferrari, Barbara; Fiorentini, Chiara; De Santis, Giorgio; Magnoni, Cristina
- Abstract
Simple Summary: The timely diagnosis and surgical treatment of skin squamous cell carcinomas is crucial for patient outcomes. However, interruptions to health care services, such as a pandemic, natural disaster, or war, can affect patients' willingness to seek medical assistance. We investigated the impact of the delayed diagnosis of squamous cell carcinomas of the skin by comparing patient and carcinoma characteristics before (2018–2019) and after (2021–2022) the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that patients were less likely to seek medical assistance, and when they did, carcinomas were more advanced. To curb the spread of the virus, types of surgery changed. Background: The delayed diagnosis of skin tumors is associated with a worsened prognosis. The impact of the interruption of clinical and surgical health services during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns has been documented among many pathologies. The impact of delayed diagnoses on patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCCs) is poorly defined. Objective: To compare patient and lesion characteristics and the surgical management of excised cSCCs prior to the pandemic shutdown of services (2018–2019) with the phase following the pandemic's second wave (2021–2022). Methods: An observational, single-center, cross-sectional study of 416 surgically excised cSCCs over the course of two years was performed. Only patients with histologically confirmed cSCC were enrolled. Data collection included patient demographics and lesion characteristics, time to surgery, surgical approach, and histological data. Results: More cSCC lesions were excised prior to the interruption of services (n = 312 vs. n = 186). Lesions were significantly larger (1.7 ± 1.2 vs. 2.1 ± 1.5 cm; p = 0.006) and more invasive (52% vs. 89%; p < 0.001), in the period 2021–2022. Surgical reconstructive techniques were significantly different (p = 0.001). Metastatic involvement was confirmed in three subjects (one in 2018–2019 and two in 2021–2022). There were no significant differences in the time to surgery or patient characteristics. Multivariable regression analysis identified a 4.7-times higher risk of tumor invasion (OR 4.69, 95%CI 2.55–8.16, p < 0.001), a two-times higher chance of dermo-epidermal grafts (OR 2.06, 95%CI 1.09–3.88, p = 0.025), and a 3.2-times higher risk of positive surgical margins (OR 3.21, 95%CI 1.44–7.17, p = 0.004). Conclusions: Diagnostic delays of cutaneous SCCs associated with reduced patient access to clinical and diagnostic services are associated with a 4.7-times increased risk of more severe invasion, a three-times increased risk of positive surgical margins, and a significant impact on surgical management, compared to the pre-pandemic period. Comparable patient cohort characteristics and time to surgery remained unchanged.
- Subjects
SQUAMOUS cell carcinoma; CROSS-sectional method; RISK assessment; CANCER invasiveness; SCIENTIFIC observation; MULTIPLE regression analysis; ODDS ratio; DELAYED diagnosis; CONFIDENCE intervals; COVID-19 pandemic; DISEASE risk factors
- Publication
Cancers, 2024, Vol 16, Issue 8, p1469
- ISSN
2072-6694
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/cancers16081469