Critically ill cancer patients in the intensive care unit: short-term outcome and 1-year mortality

The short-term survival of critically ill patients with cancer has improved over time. Studies providing long-term outcome for these patients are scarce.

We prospectively analyzed outcomes and rates of successful discharge of 111 consecutive critically ill cancer patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) in 2008 and identified factors influencing these results.

ICU mortality was 32% and hospital mortality was 41%. None of the characteristics of the malignancy nor age or neutropenia were significantly different between survivors and others. Two variables were independently associated with ICU mortality: high Logistic Organ Dysfunction score on day 7 and a diagnosis of viral infection and/or reactivation. The 1-year mortality rate for ICU survivors was 58% and was significantly lower in patients with a diagnosis of acute leukemia or multiple myeloma.

Organ failure scores on day 7 can predict outcome for cancer patients in the ICU. Viral infection and reactivation appear to worsen the prognosis. One-year mortality rate is high and depends on the malignancy.