Cancer patients with COVID-19: a retrospective study of 51 patients in the district of Piacenza, Northern Italy

Background: Cancer patients are considered a highly fragile group in the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Material & methods: In this study, patients with COVID-19 and cancer, hospitalized in Piacenza, Italy, from 4 April to 4 May 2020 were included. Risk factors for death were analyzed.

Results: Fifty-one COVID-19 cancer patients were included, of which the median age was 71.02 years (range: 51-86) and 70.59% were male. Cancer types included gastrointestinal (25.49%), genitourinary (25.49%) and lung (23.53%). Forty-five (88.24%) patients received hydroxychloroquine-based therapy. In addition, 25 of 51 patients died (49%): 12 of 51 (23.53%) owing to cancer and 13 of 51 (25.49%) owing to COVID-19.

Conclusion: The risks for death were related to later onset of treatment for COVID-19, severe/critical COVID-19, age, elevated basal CRP and elevated lactate dehydrogenase.