The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on time to treatment in head and neck cancer management: a systematic review

Malte Grumstrup Simonsen; Amanda-Louise Fenger Carlander; Kathrine Kronberg Jakobsen; Christian Grønhøj; Christian von Buchwald

doi:10.2340/1651-226x.2025.41366

journal article Open Access Jan 28, 2025

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on time to treatment in head and neck cancer management: a systematic review

Malte Grumstrup Simonsen

Amanda-Louise Fenger Carlander

Kathrine Kronberg Jakobsen

Christian Grønhøj

Christian von Buchwald

Acta Oncologica Vol. 64 pp. 156-166 · MJS Publishing, Medical Journals Sweden AB

View at Publisher Save 10.2340/1651-226x.2025.41366

Abstract

Background and purpose: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused a need for reorganization in the healthcare systems. First, we aimed to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on time to treatment in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Second, we aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 on tumor stage and changes in treatment regimens used.
Material and methods: A systematic search in PubMed and Embase was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Inclusion criteria were: (1) Studies including patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas; (2) Studies containing a comparison of time to treatment; (3) Studies containing a well-defined time interval with restrictions on health care due to COVID-19 and a well-defined time interval without restrictions.
Results: A total of 19 studies were included comprising 24,898 patients treated for HNC cancer. Six studies (10.1% of the patients) reported an increase in waiting time within at least one interval, while seven studies reported a decrease (83.2% of the patients), and six studies found no significant effect. No changes in treatment modalities were observed. Seven of 15 studies (12.7% of the patients) observed an increase in either overall stage, size, or tumor node and metastasis classification during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among these, two studies reported increased waiting times as well.
Interpretation: The impact of the COIVD-19 pandemic on time to treatment was heterogenous and subject to considerable intercountry and interregional variations. A tendency toward a higher T-classification was observed. In conclusion, otorhinolaryngology departments demonstrated resilience, as the pandemic led to only slight alterations in time to treatment.

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Details

Published: Jan 28, 2025
Vol/Issue: 64
Pages: 156-166
License: View

Authors

M

Malte Grumstrup Simonsen

A

Amanda-Louise Fenger Carlander

K

Kathrine Kronberg Jakobsen

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology Copenhagen University Hospital – Rigshospitalet Copenhagen Denmark

C

Christian Grønhøj

C

Christian von Buchwald

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery & Audiology Rigshospitalet Copenhagen Denmark

Cite This Article

Malte Grumstrup Simonsen, Amanda-Louise Fenger Carlander, Kathrine Kronberg Jakobsen, et al. (2025). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on time to treatment in head and neck cancer management: a systematic review. Acta Oncologica, 64, 156-166. https://doi.org/10.2340/1651-226x.2025.41366

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on time to treatment in head and neck cancer management: a systematic review

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