Infection Mortality in Cancer Patients: A High-Risk Population

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center have identified patients living with cancer at a higher risk of death from an infection. The study, which analyzed data from 7,529,481 US cancer survivors between 1992 and 2015, found that 101,167 patients (1.3%) died of infection. The rate of infection-specific mortality was 27.19/10,000 person-years, with a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of 3.29. The study highlights the need for targeted research and interventions to prevent infection mortality in this high-risk population.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study characterized patients living with cancer at the highest risk of dying from an infection, with an infection-specific mortality rate of 27.19/10,000 person-years.
  • The rate of infection-specific mortality was highest in the first 5 years after diagnosis, with a hazard ratio of 4.53 (95% CI: 4.46-4.60).
  • The study found that the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was 3.29 (95% CI: 3.26-3.32), indicating a significant excess of infection mortality in the cancer population.
  • The results of the study can guide more targeted research and interventions in patients living with cancer, who are at a higher risk of death from an infection.
  • The study highlights the importance of monitoring patients living with cancer for signs of infection and implementing strategies to prevent infection mortality.
  • The University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine were involved in the research, which was conducted by a team of researchers led by Nicholas G. Zaorsky.

Statistics:

  • 7,529,481 US cancer survivors were analyzed between 1992 and 2015.
  • 101,167 patients (1.3%) died of infection.
  • The rate of infection-specific mortality was 27.19/10,000 person-years.
  • The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was 3.29 (95% CI: 3.26-3.32).
  • The hazard ratio for infection-specific mortality was 4.53 (95% CI: 4.46-4.60) in the first 5 years after diagnosis.

Sources:

  • Death From Infection Among Patients Living With Cancer. American Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2025;48(7):327-335.
  • University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center.
  • Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.
  • NewsRx. Studies from University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center Yield New Information about Cancer (Death From Infection Among Patients Living With Cancer). Hematology Week. July 21, 2025; p 4633.