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. 2021 Jul;60(7):859-865.
doi: 10.1080/0284186X.2021.1889659. Epub 2021 Mar 1.

Severity and 1-month outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with solid cancers: a Danish nationwide cohort study

S Ehmsen  1   2 , L H Jakobsen  3   4 , M E Lendorf  5 , R L Eefsen  6 , L Bentsen  7 , A S Knoop  7 , N Aggerholm-Pedersen  8 , H Skuladottir  9 , J Herrstedt  10 , L H Jensen  11 , C Rotbøl  12 , M B Damm  13 , K Wedervang  14 , A Glenthøj  15 , J Ryg  2   16   17 , H Frederiksen  2   16   18   19 , A R Kodahl  1   2   16
Affiliations

Severity and 1-month outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with solid cancers: a Danish nationwide cohort study

S Ehmsen et al. Acta Oncol. 2021 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Cancer patients are vulnerable to infections, are older and often have comorbidities in comparison to the general population, which increases the risk for severe outcomes related to COVID-19 diagnosis.

Methods: This study is a prospective, nationwide study in patients with solid cancer and SARS-CoV-2 infection included between 10 March to 15 June 2020. Patient's baseline characteristics were collected. The study's primary outcome was overall survival within 30 days of verified SARS-CoV-2 infection. Secondary outcomes were hospital admission, admission to an ICU, and need for supplemental oxygen.

Results: A total of 112 patients with a cancer diagnosis and verified SARS-CoV-2 infection were identified. After one month of follow up, hospitalization was required for 54% (n = 61) and 21% of the patients had died and 14 of the 23 deceased cancer patients were ≥70 years. Most patients were classified with mild COVID-19 symptoms (66%, n = 74); however, 48% (n = 23) of the ≥70-year-olds patients were classified with severe or critical COVID-19 symptoms. Among the total study population, 61% (n = 68) had comorbidities and comorbidity were more frequently observed among the deceased (91%, n = 21) and older cancer patients (≥70 years, 81%, n = 39).

Conclusions: Acknowledging the low sample size in this study, our work shows that age and comorbidities, but not recent cytotoxic therapy, are associated with adverse outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection for patients with solid cancer. Particularly, patients with progressive disease seem to be at greater risk of a fatal outcome from COVID-19.HighlightsAge, performance status, and comorbidities are strong predictors of adverse outcome in cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.Patients with progressive cancer disease seem to be at greater risk of a fatal outcome from COVID-19.Recent cytotoxic therapy, however, did not seem to be associated with increased risk for adverse outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection for patients with solid cancer.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; cancer; comorbidity; prognosis; survival.

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