No abstract

Aim of the study Patients with cancer might have an increased risk for severe outcome of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To identify risk factors associated with a worse outcome of COVID-19, a nationwide registry was developed for patients with cancer and COVID-19. Methods This observational cohort study has been designed as a quality of care registry and is executed by the Dutch Oncology COVID-19 Consortium (DOCC), a nationwide collaboration of oncology physicians in the Netherlands. A questionnaire has been developed to collect pseudonymised patient data on patients’ characteristics, cancer diagnosis, and treatment. All patients with COVID-19 and a cancer diagnosis or treatment in the past 5 years are eligible. Results Between March 27 th and May 4 th , 442 patients were registered. For this first analysis, 351 patients were included of whom 114 patients died. In multivariable analyses, age ≥65 years ( p <0.001), male gender ( p =0.035), prior or other malignancy ( p =0.045), and active diagnosis of haematological malignancy ( p =0.046) or lung cancer ( p =0.003) were independent risk factors for a fatal outcome of COVID-19. In a subgroup analysis of patients with active malignancy, the risk for a fatal outcome was mainly determined by tumour type (haematological malignancy or lung cancer) and age (≥65 years). Conclusion The findings in this registry indicate that patients with a haematological malignancy or lung cancer have an increased risk of a worse outcome of COVID-19. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, these vulnerable patients should avoid exposure to SARS-CoV-2, whereas treatment adjustments and prioritizing vaccination, when available, should also be considered.

NSCLC molecular status was associated with metastatic pattern at diagnosis. 54% of stage IV EGFR+ ns-NSCLC patients had bone metastases at diagnosis. These observational results are hypothesis generating, and call for a prospective study where EGFR+ patients are screened for bone metastases, and treated to prevent skeletal related events.

Background: For patients with early stage or medically inoperable lung cancer, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a general accepted and effective treatment option. The role of SBRT in ultracentral tumors remains controversial. The aim of this single-center retrospective analysis was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of protracted SBRT with 60 Gy in 12 fractions (with a biological effective dose (BED 10 ) of 90-150 Gy) for patients with ultra-central lung tumors. Materials and methods: Patients with ultra-central lung tumors treated in our institution with 60 Gy in 12 fractions from January 2012 until April 2020 were included. Ultra-central tumors were defined as planning target volume (PTV) abutting or overlapping the main bronchi and/or trachea and/or esophagus. Data regarding patient-, tumor-, and treatment-related characteristics were evaluated. Results: A total of 72 patients met the criteria for ultra-central tumor location. The PTV abutted the main bronchus, trachea or esophagus in 79%, 22% and 28% of cases, respectively. At a median followup of 19 months, 1-and 2-year local control rates were 98% and 85%, respectively. Overall survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 77% and 52%, respectively. Grade 3 or higher toxicity was observed in 21%, of which 10 patients (14% of total) died of bronchopulmonary hemorrhage. A significant difference between patients with or without grade !3 toxicity was found for the mean dose (D mean ) to the main bronchus (p ¼ 0.003), where a D mean BED 3 of !91 Gy increased the risk of grade !3 toxicity significantly. Discussion: A protracted SBRT regimen of 60 Gy in 12 fractions for ultra-central lung tumors leads to high local control rates with toxicity rates similar to previous series, but with substantial risk of fatal bronchopulmonary hemorrhage. Therefore, possible risk factors of bronchopulmonary hemorrhage such as dose to the main bronchus should be taken into account.

Disclosures of potential conflicts of interest may be found at the end of this article.