Open AccessDiagnostic pathway and stage migration of sinonasal malignancies in the era of the COVID ‐19 pandemic
Author(s) -
Meerwein Christian M.,
Stadler Thomas M.,
Balermpas Panagiotis,
Soyka Michael B.,
Holzmann David
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2378-8038
DOI - 10.1002/lio2.640
Subject(s) - interquartile range , pandemic , medicine , covid-19 , stage (stratigraphy) , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , paleontology , biology
Objectives The COVID‐19 pandemic bears the risk of delayed cancer diagnoses. Methods Study on the diagnostic pathway of sinonasal malignancies during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Results Median time from first symptom to treatment initiation was not increased during the pandemic: 137 days (interquartile range [IQR] 104‐193) vs 139 days (IQR 103‐219) ( P = .60). Median time from first appointment at our institution to treatment initiation was even reduced in 2020: 18 days (IQR 11‐25) vs 11 days (IQR 7‐17) ( P = .02). A trend toward advanced tumor stages during the pandemic was seen: 11/30 patients (36.7%) ≥ stage 4 in 2018 to 2019 vs 12/19 patients (63.2%) ≥ stage 4 in 2020 ( P = .064). Conclusion Both, time to diagnosis and time to treatment initiation were similar during the pandemic. However, a higher proportion of advanced tumors stages was observed. Despite the pandemic, we provided a swift diagnostic workflow, including a virtual tumor board decision and a prompt treatment initiation. Level of Evidence: 4.