Milano Policlinico ONCOVID modified Score for risk evaluation in oncology during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective monocentric study

PURPOSE: Due to their immunosuppressed status, patients with cancer have been reported to be at increased risk of COVID-19 infection. We aimed to assess the prevalence of COVID-19 in patients with cancer and to identify its risk factors. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted at the Department of Medical oncology of Sfax from November 2020 to February 2021. We analyzed data of 226 patients treated for solid cancer. We used the Milano Policlinico ONCOVID modified Score to quantify the risk of infection in patients with cancer. RESULTS: Patients aged less than 70 years represented 85%. The most common primary tumors were breast cancer (37%) and colorectal cancer (22%). Comorbidities were observed in 39% of cases. Among 226 patients with cancer, 19 patients (8.4%) had COVID-19 disease. In 42% of cases, patients were under chemotherapy and 63% of them have a metastatic disease. Fifteen patients (79%) were symptomatic. A severe form of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization was seen in 4 patients (21%). Of 19 patients who tested positive for COVID-19, 47% had an intermediate and high risk of infection. COVID-19 infection was correlated with intermediate or high risk (p = 0.018), age < 70 years (p = 0.035), and chemotherapy treatment (p = 0.032). In multivariable analysis, only the intermediate or high risk were correlated with COVID-19 infection in cancer patient (p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: This study concluded that using the Milano Policlinico ONCOVID modified Score is very helpful for clinicians to identify vulnerable patients and to make the appropriate decision in the management of cancer patients.