Is cancer what determines COVID-19 oncological patient's outcome or are other external factors involved? Experience in a hospital in Madrid, Spain

ABSTRACT

Background: There are no large reported series determining the outcome of cancer patients with COVID-19. We aimed to determine whether differences exist in COVID-19 related mortality between cancer patients and the general population in our hospital, and we also describe associated risk factors. Methods: We reviewed 2216 medical records of all patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 diagnosis between 5 March and 13 May 2020. Study data were collected using REDCap electronic data capture tools. We described COVID-19 cumulative incidence in cancer patients, treatment outcome, mortality and associated risk factors. Results: We detected 85/2216 cancer patients in all COVID-19 diagnoses. Mortality rate 40/85 cancer patients vs 260/2131 patients in the general ward (P<0.001). Median age 76 years old (34-94), 50/85 male patients. Most frequent histologies lung cancer (22/85), colorectal cancer (19/85) and prostate cancer (15/85). Most frequent staging metastatic disease (32/85). Only 2/85 patients were admitted to ICU. Mortality was associated with older median age (79.5 vs 73, P=0.03), high d dimer levels (1630 vs 830, P=0.03), high LDH levels (315.5 vs 224, P=0.003), bilateral pneumonia (24/42 vs 5/22 with unilateral pneumonia, P=0.02), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (12/13 vs 28/72 without ARDS, P<0.0001) and metastatic disease (20/32 metastatic vs 20/53 non-metastatic, P=0.02). Differences were maintained in multivariate analyses regarding ARDS (OR 23.7, P=0.007) and metastatic disease (OR 2.5, P=0.05). Combined treatment with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin showed a better outcome in uni and multivariate analyses with only 21/61 dead patients (OR 0.13, P=0.005), adjusted by sex, histology, staging, ARDS and comorbidities. Conclusions: COVID-19 had significant mortality in cancer patients. High D dimer and LDH levels and ARDS development in elderly metastatic patients carry an elevated risk of death in cancer patients diagnosed with COVID-19. However, only 2/85 patients were admitted to ICU and this data was decisive. Combined hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin could be a good treatment option in COVID-19 cancer patients. It is a priority to create measures to avoid COVID-19 transmission in oncological patients. Legal entity responsible for the study Medical Oncology Department, HU Infanta Leonor. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.