Outcomes of COVID-19 and risk factors in patients with cancer

Nat Cancer. 2022 May;3(5):547-551. doi: 10.1038/s43018-022-00363-4. Epub 2022 Apr 4.

Abstract

Patients with cancer are at higher risk for adverse coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. Here, we studied 1,253 patients with cancer, who were diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 at a tertiary referral cancer center in India. Most patients had mild disease; in our settings, recent cancer therapies did not impact COVID-19 outcomes. Advancing age, smoking history, concurrent comorbidities and palliative intent of treatment were independently associated with severe COVID-19 or death. Thus, our study provides useful insights into cancer management during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Pandemics
  • Risk Factors
  • SARS-CoV-2