The danger of neglecting melanoma during the COVID-19 pandemic
Tamar Gomolin, Abigail Cline, Marc Z. Handler
Abstract
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, planned medical and surgical activities are being postponed. For the dermatology community, this interruption to the healthcare system can lead to delays in the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma. Neglecting melanoma during this crisis can result in increased mortality, morbidity and healthcare costs. With the COVID-19 pandemic evolving and no clear solutions in sight, it is time for the prospective evaluation of teledermatology. However, dermatologists should be cautious and continue seeing patients with pigmented lesions in person due to the necessity of early surgical intervention.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineTeledermatologyPandemicCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Intensive care medicineMelanomaDermatologyIntervention (counseling)Healthcare systemHealth careMedical emergencyTelemedicineNursingPathologyDiseaseOutbreakInfectious disease (medical specialty)Cancer researchEconomicsEconomic growthCOVID-19 and healthcare impactsCutaneous Melanoma Detection and ManagementInfection Control and Ventilation