Impacto da pandemia COVID-19 no diagnóstico precoce do cancro oral

: uma revisão sistemática baseada na evidência atual

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease that in the last year has become a major challenge worldwide. Due to the pandemic scenario and the mandatory distance, screening for potentially malignant lesions can be significantly impaired, leading to delayed and/or missed diagnoses. Telemedicine is a widely used platform these days, as it can provide medical care from a distance, enabling a reduction in travel and reducing the risk of infection for the most vulnerable patients. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was carried out, using several databases, with a specific search strategy, combining MeSH terms and free search terms. The research was based on the PICO question (What is the impact of COVID-19 on the early diagnosis of oral cancer?) with the following selection criteria: studies that assess the impact of COVID-19 on the early diagnosis of oral cancer in the population, with date
publication between 2020-2021. The studies were analyzed respecting the previously established inclusion and exclusion criteria. The present study followed the guidelines of the PRISMA guidelines. Results: Through the articles included(14 articles included), it was found that there was a negative impact, especially on cancer patients, who saw their consultations and treatments
neglected. There was a decrease in the number of biopsies performed and, consequently, in the number of diagnosed cases. These delays potentiated the increase in stage and malignancy, leading to more aggressive treatments and potentially poor prognosis. Telemedicine was, is and will be an effective tool since it allowed the reduction of the number of visits and displacements to hospital centers, decongesting them. Conclusion: It is essential to intervene in the factors that influence early diagnosis, both at the level of the patient and the health professional, since the delay in recognizing signs and symptoms is one of the main reasons for the delay in the detection of potentially injuries evil.
Telemedicine had an extremely positive impact during the time of the pandemic, which made it possible to carry out assessments and follow-ups of injuries to patients who were unable to travel to hospital centers.

Date of Award	23 Jul 2021
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Patrícia Couto (Supervisor) & Tiago Marques (Co-Supervisor)