ABSTRACT
Background: Patients with cancer can be considered more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection with severe disease and higher mortality rate. This can be attributed to the weaker immune system as a consequence of the malignancy and its treatment. The present study was undertaken to estimate the rate of COVID-19 infection in cancer patients, assess the severity of COVID-19 infection and mortality in cancer patients while on anticancer therapy. Method(s): All patients who were diagnosed with cancer and receiving anticancer treatment on outpatient basis or admitted for anticancer treatment and diagnosed with COVID-19 infection were analysed. The severity of COVID-19 infection was made according to World health organisation guidelines. The study period was between March 2020 and February 2022. Result(s): A total of 4420 patients were seen between March 2020 and February 2022, of which 4.1% (n=184) were diagnosed to have COVID-19 infection. The median age was 46 years (range, 5-76). Male to female ratio was 1.5:1. The incidence was more common in the second wave (46.7%) compared to first (32.6%) and third wave (20.6%). Patients with hematological malignancies (70.6%) were infected more than those with solid tumors (39.4%). Most common presentation was fever (79.3%), followed by cold (47.2%) and cough (39.6%). Around 75% (n=138) patients had mild illness, moderate illness and severe illness were seen in 15.22% (n=28) and 9.79% (n=18) respectively. Thirty seven percent (n=68) patients required hospitalization, of which 52% (n=36) required oxygen supplementation and treatment with Remdesivir. Mortality attributed to COVID-19 was seen in 3.8% (n=7) patients of which non-hodgkin lymphoma was the commonest underlying malignancy seen in 1.6% (n=3) patients out of which 2 were on Rituximab therapy. Conclusion(s): Though COVID-19 infection can cause severe implications in cancer patients, prompt identification and timely management can reduce its repercussions and improve outcomes especially in patients with haematological malignancies. Legal entity responsible for the study: The authors. Funding(s): Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest. Copyright © 2022