The study in Lancet Oncology by Chinese scientists analyzed the medical histories of 1590 COVID-19 patients from 575 hospitals in 31 provinces. They found that 18 of those were patients with cancer histories, which was higher than the proportion of cancer patients in the population as a whole, suggesting that cancer patients may be more vulnerable to COVID-19.
Of the 18 patients, however, 12 had recovered from initial cancer treatments and had no obvious immunosuppression. As a result he researchers concluded that cancer was not associated with their COVID-19 infection.
Likewise the cancer patients with COVID-19 had more complications, but they said other factors were more important to these patients’ infections. The median age of these patients was over 63. After looking at other factors affecting these cancer patients, the authors concluded that the major risk for patients with cancer was the inability to receive necessary medical services in a timely manner.
The researchers concluded that during this epidemic, in addition to better protection, cancer patients need online medical counseling and appropriate identification and treatment of critical cases.
Here are other resources with COVID-19 advice for cancer patients:
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center: "Coronavirus: what cancer patients need to know"
- City of Hope: COVID-19 advice for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers
- American Cancer Society: Common questions about new coronavirus outbreak
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