COVID-19 and cancer: outcomes, risk factors, and healthcare disruptions

TopicDetails/FindingsReferences
Cancer and COVID-19 outcomesRecent cancer treatment increased mortality, ICU admission, and hospitalization risks, while untreated patients had mortality rates similar to non-cancer individuals.[22, 23]
Risk factors for severe COVID-19Older age, comorbidities, male sex, severe obesity, and racial/ethnic background heightened mortality risk.[4, 24]
Impact on cancer careThe pandemic disrupted screenings and treatments; delayed colorectal cancer surgery increased mortality by 13%.[25]
Cancer research disruptionsOne-third of clinical trials were delayed or halted, and two-thirds of research labs closed, setting back discoveries by up to 18 months. HPV vaccination declines may raise future cancer risks.[26]
Mortality risk in hospitalized patientsCancer patients accounted for 10% of hospitalized COVID-19 cases and had higher in-hospital mortality. Younger cancer patients faced disproportionately high mortality.[27, 28]
Vaccine efficacyCancer patients, especially those with hematologic malignancies, showed reduced vaccine efficacy. The delta variant widened the mortality gap.[29, 30]
ICU admission trendsCancer patients were generally less likely to be admitted to the ICU, except for younger patients, whose ICU admission rates matched non-cancer peers despite higher mortality.[30–32]
Long COVID in cancer patientsNearly 50% of cancer survivors developed long COVID, commonly experiencing fatigue, sleep disturbances, and muscle pain. Women were more affected, and initial infection severity did not predict long COVID risk.[33–35]

COVID-19: coronavirus disease 2019; HPV: human papillomavirus