The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Treatment of Patients with Head and Neck Cancer at a Reference HospitalIntroduction: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus had high infection ratios and mortality due to its fast spread. Therefore, the reinforcement of the health system to treat the patients restricted the operation of several specialties and many health units postponed elective activities, for example, the care to oncological patients, who eventually did not receive the ideal treatment.
Objective: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer in a high complexity unit at a reference hospital.
Method: Data from patients with head and neck cancer were collected between 2018 and 2021. The number of assisted patients, mean time between head and neck cancer diagnosis and beginning of radiotherapy, as well as the number of surgeries and chemo and radiotherapy sessions, tumoral staging and medical record of oral complications of antineoplastic treatment have been analyzed.
Results: There was a significant increase of oral lesions in medical charts during the pandemic. In 2020 there was a higher prevalence of oral and lip cancer and IVA stage tumors.
Conclusion: The pandemic did not negatively impact the care to patients with head and neck cancer, but interfered on the elective treatment.
Key words:
Pandemic; COVID-19; Head and Neck Neoplasms