Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39594690›Full record

ReviewCancers2024

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Delay of Melanoma Diagnosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Cristina Pellegrini, Saverio Caini, Aurora Gaeta, Eleonora Lucantonio, Mirco Mastrangelo, Manfredo Bruni, Maria Esposito, Chiara Doccioli, Paola Queirolo, Giulio Tosti and 3 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Cancers, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Patients, antibiotics andJAC-antimicrobial resistance · 2025
    Article
  5. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Cristina PellegriniDepartment of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-2168-8097
Saverio CainiCancer Risk Factors and Lifestyle Epidemiology Unit, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), 50139 Florence, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-2262-1102
Aurora GaetaDepartment of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20125 Milan, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-4944-7685
Eleonora LucantonioDepartment of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
Mirco MastrangeloDepartment of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-2232-7090
Manfredo BruniDepartment of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
Maria EspositoDepartment of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
Chiara DoccioliClinical Epidemiology Unit, Institute for Cancer Research, Prevention and Clinical Network (ISPRO), 50139 Florence, Italy.
Paola QueiroloDivision of Melanoma Sarcoma and Rare Tumors, IRCCS European Institute of Oncology, 20141 Milan, Italy.
Giulio TostiDermato-Oncology Unit, European Institute of Oncology, 20141 Milan, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-8231-2814
Sara RaimondiDepartment of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, 20139 Milan, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-4673-9049
Sara GandiniDepartment of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology, 20139 Milan, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-1348-4548
Maria Concetta FargnoliDepartment of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-7249-2556

Funding

European Union's Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme No 101046016
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionSeveral studies have described how the restrictive measures due to COVID-19 have delayed melanoma diagnoses, resulting in an increased rate of more severe cases. Summarizing the sparse results in this context might help to understand the real impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on melanoma. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate how the clinical and prognostic factors of new melanoma diagnoses changed after COVID-19.

methodsA literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus was conducted in September 2023. We included studies published in peer-reviewed journals reporting histopathological data on new diagnoses of cutaneous melanoma in adult patients during and/or after the lockdown compared to those diagnosed before the COVID-19 pandemic. A meta-analysis was conducted utilizing a random effects model. The between-study heterogeneity was assessed via Higgins's I

resultsThe study included 45 articles. We found a significantly higher proportion of all factors indicating worse prognosis in the post-lockdown period compared to the pre-COVID-19 phase, including high thickness (SOR = 1.14, 95%CI 1.08-1.20 for 1-2 mm; SOR = 1.62, 95%CI 1.08-2.40, for >2 mm), the presence of ulcerations (SOR = 1.35, 95%CI 1.18-1.54), nodular subtype (SOR = 1.19, 95%CI 1.07-1.32), the presence of mitosis (SOR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.17-2.11), and stage III (SOR = 1.39, 95%CI 1.19-1.52) and IV (SOR = 1.44, 95%CI 1.26-1.63). Limitations include the limited studies' geographical distribution and moderate heterogeneity affecting meta-analysis estimates.

conclusionsOur meta-analysis provided evidence of more advanced melanomas diagnosed in the post-COVID-19 pandemic period, emphasizing the importance of creating and updating pandemic preparedness plans to limit the impact of any future events on oncological care.

Indexed as

COVID-19diagnostic delaymelanomaprognosis

Identifiers

PMID39594690
PMCPMC11591869

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.