Oncologic patients with covid 19: A mexican endeavor

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a worldwide challenge. There are few reports regarding its behavior in cancer patients. Materials and methods: Retrospective study including cancer patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in the ABC Medical Center in Mexico City. We include general and oncological variables. We analyzed clinical features and treatment of COVID-19 and its outcomes such as hospitalization and death. Results: We report 86 patients with cancer and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The vast majority of patients 80 (93.1%) had a solid tumor while the most frequent primary tumor was breast 40 (46.5%) and lung 8 (9.3%). The clinical stage of patients was I in 22.1%, II in 16.3%, III in 31.4%, and IV in 24.4%. Antibiotics were used in 37 patients (43%) and corticosteroids in 32 (37.2%). Discussion: During disease evolution, 11 (12.8%) patients were hospitalized and 6 (7.0%) died. Variables of significant association with hospitalization include gender (men, odds ratio [OR] 5.6), previous cardiac disease (OR 25.1), and hematologic malignancy (OR 8.1). Associations with higher mortality rates were gender (men, OR 15), clinical Stage III/IV cancer (OR 11.3), type 2 diabetes mellitus (OR 14.7), previous cardiac disease (OR 19.2), and targeted therapy (OR 9.0). Conclusions: We found lower hospitalization and mortality rates compared to what had been previously reported both in Mexico around the globe. Men and patients with previous cardiac disease had a significant higher risk of hospitalization and death. Hematologic malignancies (lymphoma) were associated with higher hospitalization. Clinical Stage III/IV, targeted therapy, and type 2 diabetes mellitus showed a statistically significant association with mortality risk.