Skin and soft tissue infections in hospitalized cancer patients: A retrospective study

OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of hospitalized cancer patients with skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs). METHODS: An observational retrospective study was conducted between March 2016 and December 2020 at the Oncology Department of King Saudi Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Patients with complicated and uncomplicated SSTIs were included. RESULTS: A total of 204 cancer patients with SSTIs were evaluated. The incidence of SSTIs was 1.67% (204/12,203). Breast cancer (39%) was the most common solid tumor in all patients with SSTIs. Exit site infection (n=84, 41.2%) was the most common SSTI in cancer patients, followed by wound infection (n=72, 35.3%), and cellulitis (n=44, 21.5%). The majority of patients received appropriate antimicrobial therapy (n=150, 73.5%). CONCLUSION: This study has shown a modest incidence of SSTIs in hospitalized cancer patients, with many of the patients received appropriate antimicrobial therapy.