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Did the COVID-19 pandemic have an effect on oral cancer staging? A single-centre retrospective observational study

British Dental Journal (2024)Cite this article

Abstract

Introduction This study aims to assess if the COVID-19 pandemic impacted upon oral cancer staging in a single centre in the UK.

Materials and methods Data were collected from the head and neck cancer database of a teaching hospital in London. Oral cancer diagnosis and staging in the peak period of the pandemic (March 2020-2021) were assessed against the one-year period (March 2019-2020) before the pandemic.

Results In total, 25 cases of oral cancer were diagnosed in the pre-COVID-19 group compared to 26 in the COVID-19 cohort. Referrals from dentists accounted for 30% of cases of confirmed oral cancer in the COVID-19 class in comparison to 48% the year prior. Higher rates of overall TNM (tumour, lymph node, metastasis) staging at level 4a and above were observed in the COVID-19 cohort at 68% in comparison to 48% the year before.

Conclusion Marginal non-statistically significant differences were noted of worsening stages of oral cancer presentations in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in this unit. Long-term studies on the outcomes of those diagnosed with oral cancer during the pandemic at a regional and national level will facilitate greater analysis on the impact the pandemic had on this cohort.

Key points

  • The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a reduction in access to oral cancer screening.

  • Increased presentations to the emergency department with oral cancer was seen.

  • Increased rates of late staged oral cancers were observed in this period.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Wellhouse Lane, Barnet, Hertfordshire, EN5 3DJ, UK

    Joshua Lopez, Shadaab Mumtaz & Ali Amini

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  1. Joshua Lopez
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  2. Shadaab Mumtaz
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Contributions

Joshua Lopez: original conception of study and design and research into background of topic and formulation of aims and objectives of the project; analysis of current relevant literature and collection of data; full analysis of data collected and interpretation using relevant statistical tests; write up and drafting of the article and revisions in line with guidance and review from co-authors; final approval confirmed and guarantor of manuscript. Shadaab Mumtaz: review of aims and objectives of study and guidance on goals of study; collection of data from source; statistical analysis of data and support with interpretation of data; review of article and critical revision with guidance on revision and improvements; final approval confirmed and guarantor of manuscript. Ali Amini: review of study design; review of collection methods of data; review of analysis and interpretation of data; critical revision of the article and review of material; final approval confirmed and guarantor of manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joshua Lopez.

Ethics declarations

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

The authors used the NHS Health Authority MREC system to assess if the project would be considered as research and if ethical approval was required. The project did not amount to be considered as research and therefore ethical approval was not required. Consent to participate was not required for this retrospective study.

Data availability

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article.

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Lopez, J., Mumtaz, S. & Amini, A. Did the COVID-19 pandemic have an effect on oral cancer staging? A single-centre retrospective observational study. Br Dent J (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-024-7056-x

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