COVID-19 in Cancer and Non-cancer Patients

Abstract

Background: There is a global concern for the susceptibility of patients with cancer to the adverse effects of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Objectives: Nevertheless, there is a signal of potentially increased vulnerability of patients with cancer to more COVID-19-induced mortality, this notion needs to be further evaluated in various societies with different cancer epidemiology and practice. Methods: In this case-control study, done in Iran, we evaluated the medical records of patients with cancer (Ca+ patients) who infected with COVID-19 and compare them with patients without a medical history of cancer (Ca- patients). Clinical data were collected from 19 February 2020 to 17 May 2020. The extracted data were classified into demographics, underlying medical conditions, clinical manifestations, imaging and laboratory findings, and clinical outcomes. Results: A total of 24 Ca+ patients were compared with 44 Ca- patients in terms of clinical manifestations and outcomes of COVID-19. The Ca- patients significantly developed more dry cough (75.0% vs 29.2%, P = 0.01) and fever (72.7% vs 45.8%, P = 0.02). Findings of the chest CT scan was comparable between groups, except for pleural effusion and lymphadenopathy that exclusively reported in Ca+ patients. (3% and 4%, respectively). At the end of observation, 13 (19.1%) patients died from COVID-19. This rate was significantly higher in Ca+ patients (41.7 vs 6.8%, P = 001). Likewise, Ca+ patients experienced more mechanical ventilation (25.0 vs 4.7%, P = 0.01). However, the rate of ICU admission was comparable between groups (P = 0.29). Conclusions: The patients with cancer had a higher rate of mechanical ventilation and COVID-19-induced mortality.

A Cohort Study on the Immunogenicity and Safety of the Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (BBIBP-CorV) in Patients With Breast Cancer; Does Trastuzumab Interfere With the Outcome?

“…Wilke et al described the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer management as "unprecedented", and reported more personalized nonstandard approaches and forced pauses or delays in elective schedules (7). These negative impacts have been even more substantial in lowand middle-income countries (9)(10)(11).…”

Massive pericardial effusion as the first manifestation of childhood non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma: A case report

“… 4 Symptomatic effusion mostly presents with tachycardia, dyspnea (our patient's chief complaint), and echocardiographic characteristics of right heart failure, but it can also occur asymptomatically. 5 , 6 It needs special attention particularly during the Era of the coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic, which most of these symptoms mimic the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and also suffering from COVID‐19 may alter the prognosis of patients with malignancies, 7 , 8 and those patients need special attention. 9 Pericardial effusion rises mainly from blockage of the lymphatic and venous drainage of the pericardium, which is caused by adjacent compression, direct tumoral infiltration, or via hematogenous spread.…”

Challenges posed by COVID‐19 in cancer patients: A narrative review

“…43 In summary, the unprecedented burden of COVID-19 on healthcare systems worldwide has a significant impact on cancer care. First, despite limited data, cancer patients seem to be more susceptible to the more catastrophic outcomes from the infection, including increased need for mechanical ventilation 6 and mortality rates 37,[44][45][46][47] (Table 1). Second, the diagnosis might be withheld as screening programs and diagnostic services have been decreased or suspended in many countries, and patients, wary of exposing themselves to the risk of infection, have been more reluctant to present to healthcare services.…”