June 1, 2020

COVID-19 Mortality in Patients with Cancer on Chemotherapy or Other Anticancer Treatments: A Prospective Cohort Study

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Clinical Characteristics and Health Care Setting

• Lee et al. report that a multicenter observational study in the UK found no evidence that cancer patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy or other anticancer treatment were at an increased risk of mortality from COVID-19 compared to those not on active treatment. The mortality is principally driven by advancing age and non-cancer comorbidities.  
• Withholding effective cancer treatments during the pandemic may result in increased cancer morbidity and mortality without preventing deaths from COVID-19. 

Lee et al. (May 28, 2020). COVID-19 Mortality in Patients with Cancer on Chemotherapy or Other Anticancer Treatments: A Prospective Cohort Study. Lancet. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31173-9