Evaluation of COVID 19 infection in 279 cancer patients treated during a 90-day period in 2020 pandemic

Abstract

Background

The aim of this study was investigation of COVID-19 disease and its outcome in cancer patients who needed treatment, in a 90-day period.

Methods

Cancer patient who required treatment, were evaluated for potential COVID-19 infection in a 90-day period, starting from beginning of this epidemic in Iran, January, to April 19, 2020. For treatment of solid tumor patients, if they did not have symptoms related to COVID-19, just chest X-ray was requested. If they showed COVID-19 related symptoms, high resolution CT scan of lungs was requested. For hematology cancer patients, PCR test for COVID-19 infection was requested as well. Protection measures were considered for personnel of oncology wards.

Results

279 Patients were followed up in this 90-day period. No COVID-19 infection was observed in 92 cases of breast cancer, 14 cases of gastric cancer and 12 cases of pancreaticobiliary cancer. However, in 72 cases of colon cancer, 11 cases of lung cancer, 5 cases brain tumors and 12 cases ovarian cancer; 4 cases of COVID-19 were observed. In the hematology cancers group, which included 14 cases of Hodgkin’s disease, 23 cases of lymphoproliferative disorder, 12 cases of acute leukemia and 12 cases of multiple myeloma; 3 cases of COVID-19 were observed.

Conclusion

Patients with cancer who need treatment can be treated by taking some measures. These measures include observing individual and collective protection principles in patients and health-care personnel, increasing patients’ awareness particularly about self-care behavior, performing a COVID-19 test, and taking a chest X-ray, before the treatment starts

Introduction

Unfortunately, since December 2019 the world has faced a new Coronavirus epidemic which has been started from Wuhan, China. In 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) considered this infection a serious global health problem and announced it as a pandemic due to its outbreak all around the world. The most serious complication caused by this infection was a severe acute respiratory syndrome which led to lots of deaths [1]. The most important symptoms presenting this infection were cough, shortness of breath and sore throat; after a while, other symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, changes in taste and smell, and headache were reported too [2]. The most important complication which results in death is severe acute respiratory syndrome. The number of resulted deaths in April 2020 was more than 45,000 [3]. The incubation period of COVID-19 infection is reported to be 2–14 days; 5.2 days on average since transmission time [4, 5]. In some studies, the average incubation time is reported 6.4 days. Diagnosis of this infection is done using Real-time PCR test [6]. According a report from CDC [7], high-risk groups for being infected or showing severe illness of COVID-19 are elderly adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions, particularly if it is not well controlled. Based on the CDC’s report, those who are at high-risk for severe illness are: people 60 years or older, people who live in nursing homes, people with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma, people who have serious heart conditions, people who are immunocompromised (including patient who undergo cancer treatment, smokers, people who had bone marrow or organ transplantation, and people with prolonged use of corticosteroids). Moreover, people with severe obesity, diabetic patients, people with chronic liver disease and people with chronic kidney are among other high-risk groups. According to some reports, cancer patients are at a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, compared to the public [8]. Yet, there is no accurate and concise instruction for cancer patients to deal with this epidemic. COVID-19 is a challenge for oncology and hematology specialists. There are some suggestions about managing these patients, including instructions in ESMO site [9]. According to these suggestions, patients are divided into groups called Priority A, Priority B, and Priority C. These divisions are based on some facts; including if the cancer patient has an active cancer which is life-threatening, if they are at an average risk, or if they do not currently have active cancer. The aim of our study was to investigate COVID-19 illness and its outcome in cancer patients who needed treatment.

Materials and methods

Cancer patients who required treatment, were evaluated for potential COVID-19 infection in a 90-day period, starting from beginning of this epidemic in Iran, January 21, 2020 to April 19, 2020. The treatments were injection therapies including chemotherapy, Bevacizumab, Rituximab, Trastuzumab, Rituximab, Sunitinib, Sorafenib, Everolimus, Erlotinib, CCNU (Lomustine), Procarbazin and etc. Which were used based on the cancer’s type. Patients divided in to two groups of solid tumors and hematology cancers. In solid tumor patients, if they did not have any symptoms related to COVID-19 or other infection symptoms, just chest X-ray was requested before starting treatment. If they showed COVID-19 related symptoms, High Resolution CT scan of lungs was requested. Otherwise the cancer treatment would be started. In hematology cancers group, in addition to above mentioned tests, real-time PCR test for COVID-19 was requested before starting the treatment. Unfortunately, performing PCR test was not always possible. All patients and their families were added to a telegram group to receive educations related to protection and self-care, since beginning of this epidemic. In this group they were trained about protective measures such as using disinfectants, masks, use soap and water to wash hands, and other hygiene methods. Since the very beginning of the epidemic we suggested patients and their families to use masks, we suggested it was necessary for everyone to use masks, and we considered protection measures for personnel of oncology and clinic wards [10]. We paid special attention to increase peoples’ awareness particularly about self-care behaviors. These people included patients, their families and health-care personnel. Chemotherapy treatments were performed as usual. The same routine treatment was used for patients; therefore, no ethical approval was needed.

Results

After this 90-day period, 279 patients with cancer who were undergoing cancer treatments were evaluated. 218 patients had solid tumors and 61 patients had hematological cancers. Among these 218 solid tumor patients, 92 cases had breast cancer whose treatment was either started before the epidemic or continued throughout this period, or the treatment was started during the epidemic. The staging of patients was as follows; 5 patients in stage I, 29 patients in stage II, 37 patients in stage III, and 21 patients in metastatic stage (some of these patients, referred to as metastases, were patients with recurrence of the disease). Twenty-one of the 29 patients were receiving Herceptin during the epidemic, and the usual chemotherapy was completed before the epidemic began. For breast cancer patients, treatment was started with the same usual dose and at the same usual intervals of every 3 weeks. We had no COVID-19 positive case in these patients. Among 72 patients with colon cancer, 11 patients were in stage II, 36 patients were in stage III, and 25 patients were in metastatic stage (some of these cases were relapsed patients). For these patients, treatment was either started during the epidemic or continued during the epidemic. Treatment was done once every 2 weeks (FOLFOX4, FOLFIRI) and in metastastic cases Bevacizumab (Stivant) or Cetuximab was used. In majority of stage II patients, a 3-week regimen of (Capecitabin/Oxaliplatin) was used. There was one COVID-19 positive case with positive RT-PCR and lung high resolution CT scan. At first, the oxygenation and pulse oximetry status of patient was good, but gradually the pulmonary problems were worsened, the patient contracted respiratory distress and eventually died. No other COVID-19 positive case was observed among colon cancer patients (Table 1). There were 11 patients with lung cancer; of which 7 patients were taking chemotherapy, and 3 patients were taking Erlotinib. Among these 11 cases of lung cancer, one case of COVID-19 was observed. The patient developed a COVID-19 infection before cancer treatment starts, and died as a result. In 12 patients with pancreaticobiliary cancer no COVID-19 positive case was reported. We had 5 patients with glioblastoma multiforme; in this group we had one case of COVID-19 infection. The patient was under the ventilator device and later died as a result of COVID-19 infection. In 12 cases with ovarian cancer, one suspected case with positive lung CT scan was observed, but COVID-19 PCR test for this patient was negative. Characteristic of patients with other cancers are listed in Table 2. In hematology cancer group we had 14 cases of Hodgkin’s disease who were receiving treatments; 2 patients were in stage I, 4 patients in stage II, 4 patients in stage III. 2 cases were relapsed patients, one was refractory, and one patient was in stage IV. The treatment regimen was ABVD (Adriamycin, Bleomycin, Vinblastin, Dacarbazin) every 2 weeks. No COVID-19 case was reported in this group. We had 23 cases of lymphoproliferative disorder of which 7 cases received CHOP-Rituximab (Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Adriamycin, Prednisolone-Rituximab) treatment, 5 cases received Rituximab, one case received CVP-Rituximab (Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Prednisolone-Rituximab), 3 cases Hyper C-VAD, 4 cases Fludarabin/Cyclophosphamide/Rituximab and 2 cases received Bendamustine/Prednisolone (Table 3). There was one COVID-19 positive case with pulmonary clinical symptoms in a patient with cerebral lymphoma which now is receiving supportive treatments. There were 12 cases of acute leukemia, 5 of which were lymphoblastic leukemia. Among these four cases, one died due to lack of response to the treatment; one patient has been diagnosed with COVID-19 during neutropenia phase and died. Three other patients have no specific problems. There were 7 cases of myeloblastic leukemia, 2 of which had a history of CML and using Nilotinib; which entered the blastic phase and were receiving (7 + 3 days) Cytosine Arabinoside/Daunorubicin. Currently, these two patients are in good conditions. There were two cases of de novo acute myeloid leukemia. One of them was relapsed before the epidemic began, it was resistant to therapy, and the patient died due to leukostasis. There were three cases of M3 Acute Promyelocytic leukemia which are receiving Arsenic and do not have any particular problems [11]. We had 12 cases of myeloma in this 90-day period. Three of them received Melphalan and Prednisolone. Among them five cases received proteasome inhibitor (Alvocade); in this group there was one COVID-19 positive case which is in good general condition and has no symptoms. There were four cases of myeloma which underwent C-VAD regimen (Cyclophosphamide-vincristine adriamycin dexamethasone) [12]. One of them suddenly developed fever and respiratory distress and died within 24 h before the treatment begins. The cause of death is not clear and it was not possible to be evaluated by COVID-19 PCR test.

Table 1.

The relationship between cancer treatment and the prevalence of COVID 19

Cancer	Breast cancer	Colon cancer	Gastric cancer	Lung cancer	Ovarian cancer	GBMc	Pancreaticobilliary tumor
Number Patients	92	72	19	11	12	5	10
Stage I	5
Stage II	29	9	4		2
Stage III	37	35	10		6
Stage IV	21	21	5		4
Treatment	CHTb Trastuzumab	CHTb Bevacisumab Cetuximab	CHTb	CHTb Erlotinib	CHTb	PVCd Temozolomide	CHTb
COVID 19 RT-PCR	0	1	0	1	0	1	0
Suspicious in HRCT SCAN	0	1	0	1	1	1	0
Death due COVID 19	0	1	0	1a	0	1	0
Progression of Malignancy	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Treatment method	Q3f weeks	Q2e weeks	Q3 weeks	Q3 weeks	Q3 weeks	Daily	Q3 weeks

^aNo treatment for malignancy

^bCHT: chemotherapy

^cGBM: glioblastoma multiform

^dProcarbazine, lomustine (CCNU), and vincristine (PCV)

^eQ2 weeks: once every 2 weeks

^fQ3 weeks: once every 3 weeks

Table 2.

The relationship between other cancer treatment and the prevalence of COVID 19

Cancer	Renal cell carcinoma	Bladder cancer	Germ cell tumor	Soft tissue sarcoma	Head and neck cancer	Thyroid cancer	Ovarian cancer	Ewing family tumor
Number Patients	6	5	4	8	6	4	8	4
Stage I Stage II Stage III Stage IV	Locally advanced 3 Metastatic 4	Stage II–III	4			Metastatic MTC: 3 Metastatic Follicular Carcinoma: 1	Stage III: 3 Metastatic: 5
Treatment	INf Sunitinib	CHT	CHT	CHT	CHT Cetuximab	Sorafinib Zometa	CHT
COVID 19 RT-PCR	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Suspicious in HRCT SCAN	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Live	6	6	4	8	4	4	8	4
Death due COVID 19	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Progression of malignancy		0	0	0		0	0	0
Treatment method		Q3 weeks	Q3 weeks	Q3 weeks	Q3 weeks	Daily	Q3 weeks	Q3 weeks

MTC medullary thyroid carcinoma B, CHT chemotherapy, Q3 weeks once every 3 week

Table 3.

The relationship between hematology malignancy treatment and the prevalence of COVID 19

Cancer	Hodgkin lymphoma	Lymphoproliferative disorder	Multiple meloma	Acute lymphoblastic leukemia	Acute myeloblastic leukemia	Acute promelocytic leukemia
Number Patients	14	23	12	5	4	3
Stage I	2	Maltoma:5
Stage II	4	DLBLa:7
Stage III	4	High grade Lymphoma:3
Stage IV	4	Low grade lymphoma:7
Treatment	ABVDf:11	CHOP-Rb	MPd	CHTg	CHTg	Arsenic
	ESHAP/MINEh:2 Gemcitabine/cisplatin/bendamustin: 1	Bendamustin/PRD Flu/Cyc/Rc	C-VADe Proteasome inhibitor bortezomib
COVID 19 RT-PCR	0	1	1	1	0	0
Suspicious in HRCT SCAN	0	1	1	1	0	0
Death due COVID 19	0	0	0 or 1?	1	0	0
Progression of malignancy	0	0	0 or 1?	1	1	0
Treatment method	Q3i weeks	Q3 weeks	Q3–4 weeks

1?: The cause of death of a patient in this group was unknown and it was not possible to investigate Quaid 19

^aDiffuse large B cell lymphoma

^bCyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Adriamycin, Prednisolone-Rituximab

^cFludarabin/cyclophosphamide/Rituximab

^dMelphalan prednisolone

^eCyclophosphamide-Vincristine, Dexamethasone, Adriamyin

^fABVD: Adriamycin, Bleomycin, Vinblastin Dacarbazin

^gCHT: chemotherapy

^hMINE (mesna, ifosfamide, mitoxantrone, and etoposide) alternated with ESHAP (etoposide, methylprednisolone, high-dose cytarabine, and cisplatin

ⁱQ 3–4 week: once every 3–4 weeks

Discussion

In the solid tumors group, there was one patient with ovarian cancer which was suspected to COVID-19 infection in terms of CT scan, but it was negative for COVID-19 PCR test; she is undergoing follow up and supportive measures. Following this patient, the general condition is good, and in the new CT scan of the lungs, there was no specific sign in favor of COVID-19 infection. There was an advanced stage IV lung cancer patient, who was COVID-19 positive (in terms of radiology and CT scan), and developed a coronavirus infection before starting the cancer treatment and died. There was an advanced stage IV colon cancer patient, who was COVID-19 positive (in terms of radiology and CT scan), that at first, the patient's oxygenation and pulse oximetry status was good, but gradually the pulmonary problems worsened and the patient suffered from respiratory distress. Pulmonary intubation is performed for patients and finally the patient dies. He had a history of smoking and drug abuse. We had five patients with glioblastoma multiforme; in this group we had one case of COVID-19 infection that was under the ventilator device resulted death was observed. In hematology cancers group, we had a patient with refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia who was positive for COVID-19 and died as its result. Among the 5 of the 12 cases of multiple myeloma that received proteasome inhibitor (Alvocade); there was one COVID-19 positive case which currently in good general condition and has no symptoms. One of the patients in the multiple myeloma group who received (C-CVD, Thalidomide) chemotherapy regimen suddenly developed a fever and respiratory distress and died within 24 h before starting the second course of treatment. The cause of death is not clear and it was not possible to be evaluated by COVID-19 PCR test. We had a patient with cerebral lymphoma, which was a suspected case in terms CT scan, but it was negative for COVID-19 PCR test, that’s right now, the general condition of the patient is good and there is no particular problem in the field of COVID 19 infection (Table 4).

Table 4.

Cancer patients with infection COVID-19

	Number	COVID-19: HRCT scan lungc	COVID-19 PCR test	Live	Death due to cancer	Death due to COVID 19	The patient’s current condition
Glioblastoma multiform	5	1	1	4		1
Colon cancer	72	1	1	71		1
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia	5	1	1	3	1	1
Ovarian cancer	12	1	0	1 11			Good
Multiple myeloma	12	1 1a	0	1 11	1b		Good
Lung cancer	11	1	1	10		1

^aSuspicious

^bThe cause of death of a patient in this group was unknown and it was not possible to investigate QVID 19

^cHigh resolution CT scan Lung

Considering the results of this study, we realized that COVID-19 complications were more significant in hematology cancer patients, regarding number of patients and number of treatment sessions. There were fewer complications in solid tumor patients. Therefore, according to our findings in this 90-day period, if all protective and hygienic measures are observed, it is possible for solid tumor patients to continue treatments as usual. However, it is still important to start treatment just for patients who are able to do self-care principals. Our routine for breast cancer was every three weeks. In hematology cancer patients, in lymphoproliferative disorder class, both chemotherapy and Rituximab was done every three weeks and without any changes in dose of treatment. There was no specific problem in patients who used tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The most important complications were observed in acute leukemia and myeloma; which in this regard, more special and appropriate attention is essential.

By visiting patients every day, in week days and holidays, and considering history and type of cancer, and patient profile while visiting, we realized that most of people who are not able to do self-care behavior are likely to have some COVID-19 related problems and may be at a high risk of COVID-19 infection. Another thing which caught our attention during this 90-day period was stress and anxiety [13], which was observed in more than 20% of patients and their families as their only supporters. The same applies for these patients’ physician and the author of this article in terms of stress and anxiety, because the stress was unprecedented in the past 15 year. It is emphasized again, if patient is not able to do self-care behaviors, great deal of care must be taken in treating them.

Conclusion

COVID-19 is a highly dangerous and stressful disease. However, in COVID-19 pandemic, patients with cancer who need treatment can be treated by taking some necessary measures. By observing protection health principles, promoting self-care behavior, and providing proper equipment and diagnostic tests for patients, their companions and health-care personnel, cancer treatment can be continued as usual and without anxiety. It’s important two consider two issues; preventing neutropenia in patients, and psychiatric counseling for patients and health-care personnel. Presence of a psychiatrist is essential for patients and health-care personnel.

Compliance with ethical standards

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared no potential conflicts of interest.