Outcomes for Critically Ill Cancer Patients in the ICU: Current Trends and Prediction

Although previously considered a poor prognostic factor, merely the presence of solid cancer is not an independent predictor of an adverse outcome. For patients with HO, with the exception of allogenic BMT, this may also be true. Despite the improvement in the global outcome, allogenic HSCT remains associated with a poor prognosis. The crucial factor is the degree of physiological upset and perhaps the response of the patient to ICU treatment, regardless of the presence or the absence of malignancy. Tools have been developed for prognostication of outcomes that may also serve to benchmark for outcomes and quality indicators. However, the diverse heterogeneity of ICU populations (including factors such as case mix, patient risk, patient volume, admission policy, preadmission resuscitation, etc.) mandates us to make allowances for and understand the limitations of these tools. Both prognostication and benchmarking have tended to focus on the immediate outcome (predominantly survival) of stays in the ICU. Future research should consider the longer term outcomes both in terms of survival and the quality of life.