Ryan Bowman, MS1, Dana L Crosby, MD, MPH2, Arun Sharma, MD, MS2
1Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois
2Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois
Grant support: None
This work has not been presented at any meetings.
Brief running title: Increased Head and Neck Cancer after COVID-19 Peak
Key words: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; novel coronavirus; head and neck cancer
Corresponding Author:
Arun Sharma, MD, MS, FACS
Associate Professor
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
720 N Bond Street
Springfield, Illinois 62794
Office Phone: 217.545.7068
Abstract
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to have extensive effects on public health as it spreads rapidly across the globe. Head and neck cancer patients are a particularly susceptible population to these effects, and we expect there to be a potential surge in patients presenting with head and neck cancers after the surge in COVID-19. Furthermore, the impact of social distancing measures could result in a shift towards more advanced disease at presentation. With appropriate anticipation, multidisciplinary head and cancer teams could potentially minimize the impact of this surge and plan for strategies to provide optimal care for head and neck cancer patients.