Changing characteristics of cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

Authors

  • Ramazan Korkusuz Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
  • Gulcin Sahingoz Erdal Department of Oncology, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
  • Isil Kibar Akilli Department of Pulmonary Disease, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
  • Müge Bilge Department of Internal Medicine, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
  • Deniz Tural Department of Oncology, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
  • Kadriye Kart Yasar Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.15155

Keywords:

COVID-19, malignant diseases, mortality

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer patients are more sensitive to infections, and, compared to other patients, may have more serious outcomes. Thus, cancer patients are a high-risk group in the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to evaluate how cancer patients are affected by COVID-19 infection; the prevalence, and factors affecting mortality.

Methodology: This single-centre, retrospective study included cancer patients under follow-up treatment at our hospital with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from electronic medical records. The effects of tumour subtype and patient demographic data on COVID-19 prevalence and mortality were analyzed using univariate and multivariate models.

Results: Evaluation was made of 217 cancer patients, comprising140 (64.5%) males and 77 (35.5%) females with a mean age of 62.05 ± 12.95 years. Mortality was seen in 84 (38.7%) patients. Disease grade, chemotherapy within the last 3 months and CT findings were determined to be related to mortality. In logistic regression analysis, the most important factors affecting survival were determined to be severe lung involvement (p < 0.001) and hematological malignancy.

Conclusions: It is clear that cancer patients are at greater risk from COVID-19 infection than individuals without a malignant disease. The results showed that cancer patients with different tumour types had different levels of sensitivity to COVID-19. It is clear that with ongoing viral mutations, the duration of the pandemic is unknown. Therefore, the continuation of cancer screening and cancer treatments should not be interrupted.

Downloads

Published

2022-03-31

How to Cite

1.
Korkusuz R, Sahingoz Erdal G, Kibar Akilli I, Bilge M, Tural D, Kart Yasar K (2022) Changing characteristics of cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Infect Dev Ctries 16:453–461. doi: 10.3855/jidc.15155

Issue

Section

Coronavirus Pandemic