Objectives: To investigate the mortality rate and mortality-related factors for patients with oncological malignancies (cancer patients) hospitalized for Covid-19 infection. Methods: Demographic characteristics, hematological and biochemical parameters, lung CT Severity Scores (CT-SS), and Charlson Comorbidity Indices (CCI) of living and dead oncology patients were compared. Statistical analyses of possible factors that may impact mortality were performed. Results: The overall mortality rate of 2650 patients hospitalized for Covid-19 was 21%. Among these, 410 patients had active oncological malignancy. The mortality rate of the oncology patients was significantly higher than those without any malignancy (54% vs. 7.2%, p<0.0001). Logistic regression analyses revealed that CT-SS, neutrophil count, hemoglobin, and CCI had meaningful independent effects on mortality in patients with oncological malignancies. The mean CTSS was significantly higher in the ex-group than the alive group (17.6±5.5 vs. 15.3±4.8, p<0.0001). On the other hand, the mean neutrophil count (2100±830 vs. 4350±660 p <0.0001) and hemoglobin level (8.4±3.2 vs. 10.7±2.8, p<0.0001) were statistically lower. Conclusion: Covid-19 (+) oncology patients suffering from profound anemia, neutropenia, and substantial lung involvement have markedly high mortality and should be treated intensely and meticulously. Keywords: Covid-19, cancer patients, mortality, oncological malignancy
Corresponding Author: Cengiz Yilmaz