Table 2.
Symptoms, hospitalization rates, and treatment among head and neck cancer patients with COVID-19.
| Parameter | N = 32, (%)A |
|---|---|
| Patient reported presenting symptomsA | |
| Asymptomatic or none | 3 (9) |
| New or worsening cough | 18 (56) |
| Generalized malaise or fatigue | 17 (53) |
| New or worsening shortness of breath | 13 (41) |
| Fever or chills | 10 (31) |
| Congestion | 6 (19) |
| Sore throat | 5 (16) |
| Nausea, emesis, or diarrhea | 3 (9) |
| Myalgias | 3 (9) |
| Change or loss of sense of smell | 1 (3) |
| Hospitalization rate | 20 (63) |
| In-hospital days (median, range)C | 8 (1–32+) |
| Intensive care unit (ICU) stay required | 7 (22) |
| In-ICU days (median, range) | 4 (1–16) |
| Supplemental oxygenation needsB | 15 (47) |
| Nasal cannula | 11 (34) |
| Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation | 4 (13) |
| Mechanical ventilation | 3 (9) |
| Treatment of COVID-19D | |
| Antibiotics (cephalosporins, vancomycin, macrolides) | 16 (50) |
| Antivirals | 2 (6) |
| Corticosteroids | 5 (16) |
| Hydroxychloroquine | 6 (19) |
| Tocilizumab (anti-IL6) | 1 (3) |
A
Patient reported symptoms could be multiple and thus total exceeds N = 32.
B
Total may exceed N = 32 because patients may have required supplemental oxygen via nasal cannula and progressed to greater breathing support.
C
‘+’ in the range indicates patients who remain hospitalized at the time of analysis and follow-up.
D
Treatment approaches are not mutually exclusive and patients may have received more than one therapy in combination or sequentially.