SARS-CoV-2 and cancer: a single-institutional approach on the clinical impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients

ABSTRACT

Objective: In this study we aimed to identify the impact of COVID-19 on systemic oncologic treatments (chemotherapy, hormone therapies, etc) delays and outcomes of the patients in our institution. Material and method: 107 cancer patients were diagnosed with SARSCoV-2 infection at Medisprof Cancer Center in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, between March 2020 and February 2021. 88 of these patients met the pre-specified inclusion criteria medical history, concomitant medication, smoking status, body mass index, cancer type, severity of infection (hospitalisation needed or not), delay of cancer treatment and impact on the overall cancer evolution. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation methods. Results: Average age of the patients was 59 years, with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) of 1 in 77.3 % of the cases. 54.6% were active or former smokers. The prevalent cancer types were gastrointestinal tumors (38.6%), followed by breast cancer (20.5%). 31 patients (35.2%) were under no treatment (follow-up or not yet treated), while 57 patients (64.7%) were on active anticancer treatment. Data showed significant differences between the number of days of delayed treatment and the types of treatment prescribed (F(4,75)= 18.46, p<0.005);targeted therapies had the longest delays with an average of 27 days (M=26.66, SD=4.92). 10 patients had progressive disease after COVID-19, there was a significant correlation between persistence of symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection and cancer progression (p=0.013). 5 patients died after COVID-19, mortality rate was higher among patients admitted for hospital care (p=0.003) and those presenting dyspnea (p<0.005). Conclusion: In our study, type of cancer therapy influenced the delays of oncologic treatment. Mortality rate due to SARS-CoV-2 infection was correlated with dyspnea and the need for hospital admission.