The mortality rate of COVID-19 was high in cancer patients: a retrospective single-center study

Abstract

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 has quickly turned into a global pandemic with close to 5 million cases and more than 320,000 deaths. Cancer patients constitute a group that is expected to be at risk and poor prognosis in COVID pandemic. We aimed to investigate how cancer patients are affected by COVID-19 infection, its clinical course and the factors affecting mortality. Methods In our single-center retrospective study, we included cancer patients with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 in our hospital. Demographic, clinical, treatment, and laboratory data were obtained from electronic medical records. Logistic regression methods were used to investigate risk factors associated with in-hospital death. Results In the hospital, 4489 patients were hospitalized with COVID infection and 77 were cancer patients. The mean age of cancer patients was 61.9 ± 10.9 and 44 of them were male (62%). While the mortality rate in non-cancer patients was 1.51% (n = 68), this rate was significantly higher in cancer patients, 23.9% (n = 17). The stage of the disease, receiving chemotherapy in the last 30 days also lymphopenia, elevated troponin I, d-dimer, CRP, and CT findings were associated with severe disease and mortality. Severe lung involvement (OR = 22.9, p = 0.01) and lymphopenia (OR = 0.99, p = 0.04) are the most important factors influencing survival in logistic regression. Conclusions The disease is more severe in cancer patients and mortality is significantly higher than non-cancer patients. These data show that it may be beneficial to develop dynamic prevention, early diagnosis and treatment strategies for this vulnerable group of patients who are affected by the infection so much.

Humoral serological response to the BNT162b2 vaccine is abrogated in lymphoma patients within the first 12 months following treatment with anti-CD2O antibodies

“…The global pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID- 19) has resulted in about 3.85 million deaths world-wide as of June 2021, with the estimated fatality rate among infected patients between 1.5-2.1% 1 . Emerging data demonstrate higher mortality rates among certain high-risk populations with significant co-morbidities, such as organ transplant recipients 2 and cancer patients [3][4][5] . Evidence shows that patients with hematological malignancies are the most vulnerable cancer population [3][4][5][6][7] , with a higher risk for hospitalization and mortality following exposure to the virus 7 .…”

“…Emerging data demonstrate higher mortality rates among certain high-risk populations with significant co-morbidities, such as organ transplant recipients 2 and cancer patients [3][4][5] . Evidence shows that patients with hematological malignancies are the most vulnerable cancer population [3][4][5][6][7] , with a higher risk for hospitalization and mortality following exposure to the virus 7 . Estimated odds ratios (ORs) for mortality are reported to vary between 2.09 and 12.16, depending on the type of malignancy and whether the disease has been actively treated within the months preceding the infection 5,6,8,9 .…”

Diagnostic, Clinical and Post-SARS-CoV-2 Scenarios in Cancer Patients with SARS-CoV-2: Retrospective Analysis in Three German Cancer Centers

“…With around 17 million new cancer cases diagnosed worldwide in 2018 [2] alone, the magnitude of possible SARS-CoV-2 consequences in the field of oncology can be very intimidating. Along these lines, several studies have documented a significantly higher risk for severe COVID-19 events among cancer patients compared with non-cancer individuals [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. The UK Coronavirus Cancer Monitoring Project and the collaboration of 19 European cancer centers recently reported death rates of 28% and 33.6% in 800 and 890 oncological patients with COVID-19, respectively.…”

Lessons Learned in Managing Patients with Colorectal Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Other centers have also reported low rates of COVID-19 infection while on systemic therapy [24]. In contrast, some studies suggest that mortality is higher in patients having received active cancer treatment [17,25,26]. A large case-control study including over 73 million electronic medical records reported patients with cancer had significantly higher risks of COVID-19 infection and worse outcomes [21].…”