Comparison of Lymph Node Involvement in Carcinomas during Precovid and Covid Era

Abstract

Background: This is a clinicopathological study comparing the involvement of lymph nodes in various carcinomas before and during the COVID-19 period. During the pandemic the access to healthcare and timely detection and intervention of carcinomas were severely affected. This delay in treatment has led to the progression of malignancies and metastasis to lymph nodes. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of 40 patients (20 from 2019 and 20 from 2021) with carcinomas who were treated by surgical excision of tumour combined with lymph node resection. Histopathological examination of the nodes was done to detect malignant metastasis and the average node positivity rate was calculated. Results: Lymph node metastasis was observed in 10 patients in 2019 (50%) and 16 patients in 2021 (80%). The average node positivity rate is significantly higher in 2021 than in 2019, in 2019 it is 31% and in 2021 it is 43%. Lymph node metastasis is expected to increase by 43% in 2021. Conclusion: In the Covid-19 pandemic, a significant decrease and delay of patients presenting to the OPD for neoplasms, resulting in a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of advanced-stage neoplasms that manifest as metastases in the regional lymph nodes.  Surgeons need to be vigilant and extensively explore the all draining affected lymph nodes and resect them.