Changes in the clinical and histopathological features of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers after COVID-19 lockdown period

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Studies show that the number of skin cancers diagnosed and treated during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown periods has decreased. Objectives: Comparing demographic and histopathological changes in skin cancer cases after the COVID-19 lockdown period with the prepandemic period. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study of skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma [BCC], squamous cell carcinoma [SCC], and malignant melanoma [MM]) diagnosed before the COVID-19 pandemic period (January 1, 2018–January 1, 2020) and after the COVID-19 pandemic period (June 1, 2022–January 1, 2023). A comparison was made between the two groups in terms of the duration of admission to the hospital, the tumor diameter at the time of admission, and the histopathological features of the tumor. Results: A total of 422 bcC, 257 SCC, and 67 MM cases were evaluated. After the COVID-19 pandemic period, the mean age at diagnosis was lower, and the mean time to diagnosis was shorter in BCC and SCC cases compared to the prepandemic period. There was no statistically significant difference in tumor thickness, tumor diameter, ulceration, lymphovascular invasion, or perineural invasion in nonmelanoma skin cancers before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Although there was no significant difference between melanoma cases in terms of age, gender, mean duration of diagnosis, location, and presence of ulceration or mitosis, the rate of in situ/invasive melanoma increased in the post-COVID period. Conclusions: This study may allow an assessment that the COVID-19 lockdown period does not have a negative impact on skin cancers. However, for a more accurate assessment, studies with a larger sample size and longer follow-up periods are needed.