The cancer control status and APACHE II score are prognostic factors for critically ill patients with cancer and sepsis.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Patients with cancer are eligible for hospice care when their life expectancy is 180 days or shorter. This study investigated the prognostic factors of patients with cancer and sepsis who were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) to assist with clinical decisions of hospice care. METHODS: A series of 279 patients admitted to the medical ICU with cancer and sepsis were included. Another series of 109 patients with cancer and sepsis admitted to the other medical ICU in the different branch of our hospital was included to verify the results. RESULTS: Among 279 patients, the 30-, 90-, and 180-day mortality rates were 47.3%, 72.0%, and 81.0%, respectively. APACHE II score and the cancer control status (controlled or remission (CR), active newly diagnosed (AND) and active recurrent or progressive (ARP)) were significant predictors of 30- and 90-day mortality(30-day: AND(odds ratio: 5.66; 95% confidence interval: 2.12-15.15), ARP(6.24; 2.92-13.33), APACHE II( 1.07; 1.03-1.11); 90-day: AND(4.78; 1.91-11.99), ARP( 24.03; 11.11-51.99), APACHE II( 1.07; 1.02-1.19)) and were associated with a poor 180-day outcome. The 180-day mortality were significantly different among the patients with different cancer control status in the series of 279 patients (CR: 29.8%; AND: 69.4%; and ARP: 98.9 %) and that of 109 patients (46.4%; 96.8%; and 94.0%). CONCLUSION: APACHE II score and the cancer control status may be the prognostic factors for critically ill patients with cancer and sepsis, and they may be helpful for evaluating hospice care.