Analysis of Early Impact of COVID-19 on Presentation and Management of Oral Cancers – an Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India

Oral cancers are the leading cause of cancer-related death in Indian men. Currently steps to contain the transmission and treatment of COVID-19 pandemic have crippled the entire health care system. With hospitals running short of resources, the oncological practice became standstill, especially during the initial phase. This is a retrospective study among patients who presented to our tertiary care hospital in early 3 months of COVID-19 era(ECE) with respect to pre-COVID-19 era(PCE). The study includes patients discussed in multidisciplinary tumor board(MDT)(421 in ECE Vs 31 in PCE) and those who underwent surgery(192 in ECE Vs 26 in PCE). The presentation and outcomes of oral carcinoma were compared between the two eras. There was a significant drop in the number of patients who presented during ECE. Though mean age and gender remained comparable between groups, there was a statistical difference in relation to demographic profile of patient (p value < 0.001). Among operated during ECE, 80% had a significantly advanced tumor stage (p value < 0.034) and advanced composite stage (p value < 0.049). Among patients discussed in MDT during ECE, 38.7% were deemed inoperable which is double the number when compared with PCE (p value < 0.009). Results of our study showed a higher incidence of advanced stage disease during ECE, with many patient turning inoperable. Thus, the survival of newly diagnosed oral carcinoma patients will be worser. In the management of oral cancer both early stage and advanced stage should have the same priority. Immediate resumption of safe oncology services is mandatory to curtail the current issues.