ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The Covid-19 pandemic especially affects cancer patients with higher incidence and mortality according to published series of original pandemic foci. The study aims to determine the mortality in our center due to covid-19 in cancer patients during the first 3 weeks of the epidemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The cancer patients who died of covid-19 during the analysis period have been reviewed describing the oncological and the covid-19 infection characteristics and the treatments established. RESULTS: Confirmed cases covid-19: 1069 with 132 deaths (12.3%). With cancer 36 patients (3.4%), 15 deceased (41.6%). Of the deceased, only 6 patients (40%) were in active treatment. The most frequent associated tumor was lung (8/15 patients, 53.3%), 11 with metastatic disease (11/15, 73.3%). No specific treatment was established in 40 % (6/15) of the patients. The rest of them received treatments with the active protocols. CONCLUSION: Covid-19 mortality in cancer patients is almost four times higher than that of the general population. Until we have effective treatments or an effective vaccine, the only possibility to protect our patients is to prevent the infection with the appropriate measures.
ANTECEDENTES Y OBJETIVO: La pandemia por Covid-19 afecta especialmente a pacientes con cáncer con mayor incidencia y mortalidad según series publicadas de focos originales de pandemia. El estudio pretende conocer la mortalidad en nuestro centro por covid-19 en pacientes con cáncer durante las primeras 3 semanas de epidemia. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se han revisado los pacientes con cáncer fallecidos por covid-19 durante el periodo de análisis describiendo las características oncológicas, de la infección por covid-19 y de los tratamientos instaurados. RESULTADOS: Casos confirmados covid-19: 1069 con 132 fallecimientos (12,3%). Con cáncer 36 pacientes (3.4%), 15 fallecidos (41,6%). De los fallecidos solo 6 pacientes (40%) se encontraban en tratamiento activo. El tumor más frecuente asociado fue pulmón (8/15 pacientes, 53,3%), 11 con enfermedad metastásica (11/15, 73,3%). El 40% (6/15) no recibió tratamiento específico contra covid-19, el resto fue tratado con los protocolos activos. CONCLUSIÓN: La mortalidad por covid-19 en pacientes con cáncer casi cuadriplica la de la población general. Hasta disponer de tratamientos eficaces o una vacuna efectiva la única posibilidad de proteger a nuestros pacientes es impedir el contagio con las medidas adecuadas.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The covid-19 pandemic especially affects cancer patients with higher incidence and mortality according to published series of original pandemic foci. The study aims to determine the mortality in our center due to covid-19 in cancer patients during the first 3 weeks of the epidemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The cancer patients who died of covid-19 during the analysis period have been reviewed describing the oncological and the covid-19 infection characteristics and the treatments established. RESULTS: Confirmed cases covid-19: 1069 with 132 deaths (12.3%). With cancer 36 patients (3.4%), 15 deceased (41.6%). Of the deceased, only 6 patients (40%) were in active treatment. The most frequent associated tumor was lung (8/15 patients, 53.3%), 11 with metastatic disease (11/15, 73.3%). No specific treatment was established in 40% (6/15) of the patients. The rest of them received treatments with the active protocols. CONCLUSION: Covid-19 mortality in cancer patients is almost four times higher than that of the general population. Until we have effective treatments or an effective vaccine, the only possibility to protect our patients is to prevent the infection with the appropriate measures.