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

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

SUBMITTER: Grumstrup Simonsen M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11808816 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature