Head and neck cancer in Hasan Sadikin general hospital: A cross-sectional study before and during COVID – 19 pandemics

Yussy Afriani Dewi, Agung Dinasti Permana, Bambang Purwanto, Inez Aulia Rakhmawulan

Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

The world is fighting against coronavirus disease 2019. Cancer patients are highly immunocompromised by cancer treatment. The conditions potentially increase the mortality and morbidity of head and neck cancer patients. This study aims to identify head and neck cancer prevalence in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, from the intended year before and during the pandemic. Data were obtained from the hospital database of all head and neck cancer patients from 2018-to 2020. Head and neck cancer patients were compared between 2018-2020 based on outpatients, inpatients, and treatment using the Wilcoxon test to analyze the association between variables. There was a significant decrease in the number of patients and treatment in Hasan Sadikin General Hospital during the pandemic. This study showed a significant decline in patients, treatments, and procedures during the head and neck cancer pandemic. During this crisis and uncertainty, extraordinary measures must ensure the best treatment possible for oncological care. Patients must be transferred to another health facility hospital. The screening of coronavirus disease 2019 must be implemented for every patient to ensure the trust and safety of the patients.

Keywords:

COVID-19, Cancer, Head and neck, Naso pharyngeal carcinoma