COVID-19 infection in cancer patients

2 min. to read

24 March 2020 (upd. 04 July 2025)

Our oncologists receive many questions related to the new coronavirus infection from their patients. Is it true that cancer patients have a more severe disease and more often lead to complications? Is it possible to continue antitumor treatment in case of infection?

To date, experts have the results of only one early study on this topic, conducted in China and published in The Lancet Oncology journal.

Key research results:

the study analyzed data from 1,590 COVID-19 patients from 575 hospitals in China who were admitted for treatment by January 31, 2020;
cancer patients also had additional risk factors: compared with other patients with COVID-19 who had no history of cancer, they were older, smoked more often, had more pronounced breathing difficulties and more pronounced changes on computed tomography;
patients with oncological diseases were at higher risk of severe complications requiring hospitalization in the intensive care unit and connection to ventilators, and oncological diseases were associated with a shorter development time of complications.

Despite the low accuracy of the study due to insufficient data, the researchers draw attention to the need to strengthen individual protection measures against COVID-19 infection in patients with cancer and those who have suffered from cancer. There is also a need for more intensive monitoring or treatment of cancer patients infected with COVID-19, especially elderly patients or patients with other concomitant diseases.

Head of the Radiation Therapy Center EMC, oncologist, radiotherapist Nidal Salim:

"This is the first study aimed at assessing the risk of COVID-19 in patients with cancer. It is impractical to talk about statistical significance with such a small number — only 18 patients. Despite this, we cannot ignore the results. Like all patients with chronic diseases, patients with cancer should take special precautions to protect themselves from coronavirus infection, first of all, to limit contact as much as possible.

Treatment alone, whether drug or radiotherapy, does not increase the risk of infection, but may be a risk factor for complications. If COVID-19 is suspected in a cancer patient, doctors postpone active treatment until the test results are received."

Oncologist, MD Pavel Koposov:

"Systemic drug antitumor treatment and elective surgeries in cancer patients with confirmed COVID-19 coronavirus are suspended until negative test results indicating recovery are received. Monitoring of cancer patients with coronavirus infection, including timely testing, cancellation of antitumor therapy and resumption of treatment, should be carried out by a multidisciplinary team."

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Questions and answers

Lump in my breast

I have noted the lump in my breast periodically appeared following breastfeeding my first child (as a result of plugged duct). I did an ultrasound, but it revealed nothing, as if everything was normal. I knead my breast periodically and feel pain at those moments. Now I am pregnant, due date is on 20th. What should I

do?? When to examine my breasts, is it possible to perform the examination during pregnancy and lactation?

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The "lump" in the breast cannot occur after feeding, even if it was the plugged duct. You should not "knead" the breasts. If there is a problem or even if you think it is – the breast should be examined. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are not contraindications for this. Under normal conditions for pregnant women we

recommend a breast examination during 1 and 3 trimester (before childbirth). There are no contraindications for breast examination in your case. You are welcome at any convenient time for examination and advice on breastfeeding.

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Benign disease

I have a benign lump in one breast size of 12.0*9.9 mm. Puncture or a biopsy will be done next week. I was told by mammologist that surgery is needed. As far as I know, concerning the surgery, axillary lymph nodes are to be removed together with the tumor. I also know that in Europe lymph nodes are testes for

specific markers and only affected ones should be removed; if lymph nodes are no affected, they are not to be dissected and the surgery is minimally invasive. So what is your approach? Does it make sense to do it or you have the same methods and the same equipment?

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If histological examination of the sample reveals fibroadenoma of basic type or tissue hyperplasia without atypia, or nodular type fibrocystic condition of the breast tissue, the question of surgical treatment should not arise. If biopsy reveals giant fibroadenoma sectoral resection is indicated, i.e. mass excision

within the healthy tissues and lymph nodes will be removed. In case of non- benign histological result, i.e. carcinoma is detected, subsequent immunohistochemical examination is required as well as a clinical oncologist and surgeon consultation; and the decision on complex treatment will be taken by case management team. With regard to the diagnosis and treatment methods in our center, each case is addressed individually. Sometimes we remove a benign area (for example, the area of hyperplasia with atypia) using the vacuum-needle technique through 3-4 mm incision. As for the surgical procedure protocols for benign breast tumors, benign simple fibroadenoma is not removed in America, Europe, Israel, etc. I would like to discuss your case with you in more details and perform some additional tests if needed, so I would be glad to see you at EMC’s Breast center.

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Melanoma

My mom had a mole (suspected for melanoma) removed in November 2015. Histology revealed lentigo melanoma in situ. We checked the slides back in the Netherlands, and the diagnosis was a superficial spreading melanoma of Clark 3 Т1а Beslow 0,8 stage; re-excision with capture of 1 cm of healthy skin is recommended. Is

it possible to make re-excision and subsequent histology in your hospital? If so, how soon?

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We absolutely agree with the opinion of the European colleagues: re-excision with a wider offset is required; according to the Russian Protocol it is necessary to move 2 cm from the peripheral edge. This is for counter insurance, as lentigo-melanoma is a favorable type, and previous surgery is likely to put an end to

this story and the forecast is favorable. All the necessary manipulations for the study are possible in our Clinic; we have our own well-equipped laboratory with the possibility to ask the advice concerning the sample in Germany and Israel. You should make an appointment with the surgeon-oncologist (Marina Bissessar) in the nearest time to conduct the diagnostic re-excision. Hope to help!

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A spot on the back and chest

I have a spot on the back and chest, what could it be?

A spot on the skin is one of the most common symptoms of various skin diseases. Infectious (viral, bacterial or fungal) as well as noninfectious skin including serious diseases and nevi (moles or birthmarks) can manifest as spots on the skin. You should go to the dermatologist for accurate diagnosis. The doctor will

examine you and, if necessary, a special instrument (Dermatoscope, wood lamp) will be used. A skin scraping can also be done in the lesion for microscopy, cytology or culture. A treatment will be prescribed after diagnosis.

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Batkaeva Nadezhda

07 September 2016

Uterine cancer

My mom was diagnosed with the uterine cancer. She is 68 years of age and has an obesity of 4th grade (the growth of 166 cm, weight 135 kg) and hypertension. Admission to the radiology department was recommended. What should we do? As far as I know the surgery is the only method for cancer of the uterus to be removed.

Is it really so that this surgery is only possible for young and relatively healthy persons?

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It is not quite so. We can operate on any patient, but the issue is which complications can lead to patient’s death and which of them can just delay the recovery. From the anesthesiologist’s point of view, it is a major challenge to intubate patients with 4th degree obesity; the abdominal section is also possible,

but there is a 100% risk of suture line disruption and inflammation, let alone the postoperative pneumonia, venous thrombosis, etc. There is another option such as vaginal hysterectomy which is more acceptable and relatively safe in obese patients. It is not a «treatment standard», however, as it allows not obtaining pelvic washings, but still there is a possibility of complete cure. Anesthesia remains a problem - both general and spinal. Radiation therapy without surgery is another acceptable treatment option besides vaginal hysterectomy. A chance of complete cure is still exists, but the survival rate is on average lower than in surgical treatment

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Vladimir Nosov

07 September 2016

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COVID-19 infection in cancer patients

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