Mortality audit of 19 patients with cancer and SARS-CoV-2 positivity
Kaberi Kakati1, Tashnin Rahman1, Debabrata Barman2, Mouchumee Bhattacharyya3, Bibhuti Bhusan Borthakur4, Rashmisnata Barman5, Apurba Kalita3, Amal Chandra Kataki2, Manigreeva Krishnatreya6
1 Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, Assam, India 2 Department of Gynecological Oncology, Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, Assam, India 3 Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, Assam, India 4 Department of Surgical Oncology, Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, Assam, India 5 Department of Microbiology, Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, Assam, India 6 Department of Cancer Registry and Epidemiology, Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, Assam, India
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Manigreeva Krishnatreya Room3, OPD Building, Dr. B Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati 781016, Assam India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/jco.jco_3_22
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Introduction: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has disrupted cancer care services globally. The main objective of this study was to review the cause of deaths in admitted patients with cancer with positive report for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus – 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Materials and Methods: The present review of the cause of deaths was conducted in a tertiary care cancer center in the North East India. In our institute, all cancer patients requiring admission for surgery, chemotherapy, and other daycare procedures require testing for SARS-CoV-2. Results: From 9 July 2020 to 16 May 2021, 119 cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 positive report or COVID-19 have been admitted to our institute COVID ward. A total of 19 cancer patients with COVID-19 succumbed. Of 19 deaths, 13 (68.4%) patients were men and 6 (31.6%) patients were women. The age range was from 27 years to 74 years (median =55 years). Vomiting alone or with diarrhea was the most common symptom requiring admission after testing (4/19, 21.0%), followed by bleeding from the primary tumor site (3/19, 15.7%). Conclusion: The antecedent and underlying cause of deaths in 19 (100%) patients was cancer. SARS-CoV-2 infection should not be a hindrance to cancer treatment and management. |