Epithelial skin cancer before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant changes in healthcare, but its effects on patients with severe skin diseases are not yet fully understood.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on characteristics of non-melanoma skin cancer in a German patient population.

METHODS

A retrospective single-center study analyzing data from patients who underwent surgical treatment for epithelial skin cancer before (Nov 2019-Feb 2020), during (Nov 2020-Feb 2021), and after the COVID-19 pandemic (Nov 2022-Feb 2023) at a Berlin hospital without drastic COVID-19-related care restrictions.

RESULTS

Data from 565 patients undergoing surgery for epithelial skin cancer were evaluated. Tumor thickness and the proportion of patients with more malignant tumors increased following the COVID-19 pandemic, while the proportion of patients with nodular basal cell carcinomas decreased. At the same time, the duration of inpatient stays decreased. Additionally, the proportion of patients with autoimmune diseases rose, placing a greater burden on the healthcare system and patients.

LIMITATIONS: This was a retrospective single-center study of patients who had undergone elective surgery.

CONCLUSION

These findings underscore the need for a sufficient number of specialized healthcare facilities to balance pandemic-related restrictions and new responsibilities with the continued treatment of serious illnesses.