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. Lay abstract: The effect of COVID-19 on cancer patients is of high concern during the COVID-19 outbreak. Here we expand on our initial analysis of 25 patients, presenting 51 patients with COVID-19 and cancer and examining their risk factors for mortality considering indicators such as age and treatment history. We confirm that risk of mortality is greater for cancer patients, and also confirm well-known risk factors for mortality in this group.