Decline in pigmented lesion referrals and melanoma diagnoses during COVID-19 lockdown

Aims To assess the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on pigmented lesion referrals and melanoma diagnoses in our institution. Methods Data on NCCP pigmented lesion e-referrals and melanoma diagnoses in a single dermatology centre in 2020 were compared with 2019. Results E-referrals received were lowest in April 2020 (17 compared with 76 in April 2019). Melanoma diagnoses in Q2 2020 (n=15) were two-thirds lower than in Q2 2019 (n=45). Clinical stage 1 melanomas diagnosed in 2020 (n=44) were 41% lower than in 2019 (n=74). Clinical stage 2 melanomas increased from 3 in Q2 2020 to 16 in Q3 2020, which is double the number in Q3 2019 (n=8). Total number of cutaneous melanoma diagnoses were 18% lower in 2020 compared with 2019. Discussion Pigmented lesion referrals and melanoma diagnoses significantly reduced during lockdown with a trend for increased clinical stage 2 melanomas in later months of 2020. It will be several months before the true impact of COVID-19 on melanoma diagnoses is known.