The lasting impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on head and neck cancer services: a UK tertiary centre study

• Published in: Journal of laryngology and otology Vol. 137; no. 5; pp. 537 - 540
• Main Authors: Taylor, R, Khan, A, Omakobia, E, Sood, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.05.2023
• Subjects: Biopsy; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; Disease transmission; Female; Head & neck cancer; Head and Neck Neoplasms - therapy; Humans; Magnetic resonance imaging; Main Article; Male; Medical referrals; Pandemics; Referral and Consultation; Retrospective Studies; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Thyroid gland; Ultrasonic imaging; United Kingdom - epidemiology; United Kingdom; United Kingdom > UK; COVID-19; Retrospective Studies; Head And Neck Neoplasms; Coronavirus
• ISSN: 0022-2151; 1748-5460; 1748-5460
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022215123000208

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic led to increased pressure on health services, which, combined with variable social restrictions, led to decreased referrals for head and neck cancer. This study assessed whether there were lasting changes to head and neck cancer referrals during different stages of the pandemic response in 2020 and 2021. A retrospective review was conducted of all cases referred for suspected head and neck cancer to our institution in January 2020, April 2020, April 2021 and June 2021. There was a rebound 91 per cent increase in referrals between April 2020 and April 2021 following the 59 per cent decrease in referrals between January 2020 and April 2020. Males made up 47.1 per cent of referrals in January 2020, 40 per cent in April 2020 and 37.82 per cent in April 2021. Further research is recommended to investigate the reasons why there is a continued decline in male referrals and the effect this has on their outcomes.