Background: The short-term survival of critically ill patients with cancer has improved over time. Studies providing long-term outcome for these patients are scarce.
Methods: We prospectively analyzed outcomes and rates of successful discharge of 111 consecutive critically ill cancer patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) in 2008 and identified factors influencing these results.
Results: ICU mortality was 32% and hospital mortality was 41%. None of the characteristics of the malignancy nor age or neutropenia were significantly different between survivors and others. Two variables were independently associated with ICU mortality: high Logistic Organ Dysfunction score on day 7 and a diagnosis of viral infection and/or reactivation. The 1-year mortality rate for ICU survivors was 58% and was significantly lower in patients with a diagnosis of acute leukemia or multiple myeloma.
Conclusion: Organ failure scores on day 7 can predict outcome for cancer patients in the ICU. Viral infection and reactivation appear to worsen the prognosis. One-year mortality rate is high and depends on the malignancy.
© 2011 The Authors Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica © 2011 The Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation.