Mortality of Patients with Cancer and SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Results from the Argentinean Network of Hospital-Based Cancer Registries

Background: Cancer is an important risk factors in patients with COVID-19. We aimed to describe the clinical and demographic characteristics associated with mortality in patients with cancer who were infected with SARS-CoV-2.Methods: We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study of 1206 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and cancer diagnoses registered in the Argentinean Network of Hospital-Based Cancer Registries (RITA), from March 31, 2020 to January 31, 2021. Demographic and clinical characteristics between survivors and non-survivors were summarized using descriptive statistics. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality within 30 days of COVID-19 diagnoses. Risk factors for mortality were identified by logistic regression models.Results: 1206 patients with cancer and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were included, median age 54 years (IQR [interquartile range] 42–65); 38.9% aged 60 or older; 793(65.8 %) were female. 1101(91.3%) had solid tumors, 105(8.7%) had hematological malignancies. The most frequent solid tumor was breast (278, 23.1%), and the hematological one was lymphoma (59, 4.9%). Cervical cancer was more frequent in survivors, while lung cancer predominated in non-survivors. 275(22.8%) patients were diagnosed with cancer within the past year. A total of 129(10.7%) patients died within 30 days after COVID-19 diagnoses, with a case fatality rate of 15.2%(16/105) for hematologic malignancies and 10.3%(113/1101) for solid tumors. Multivariable regression analysis showed that age 60-79 (OR [odds ratio] 4.69, 95% CI [confidence interval] 2.72-9.70); p=0.001), age >=80 (OR 12.86, 95% CI 5.08-32.54; p<0.001), time since cancer diagnoses <1 year (OR 2.49, 95% CI 1.57-3.93, p<0.001) and 1-2 years (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.36-3.57 p=0.001), and lung cancer (OR 4.35, 95% CI 2.02-9.36, p<0.001) were risk factors for death.Conclusion: Patients with cancer and SARS-CoV-2 infection have an increased risk of death. The risk factors identified emphasize the need to develop specific strategies aimed at reduce the risk of dying from COVID-19.