Medical admissions of oncology patients to the university hospital of the West Indies

A prospective study of 80 oncology patients (42 men, 38 women; mean age 50. 3 years) admitted to the University Hospital of the West Indies, Jamaica, w as conducted over a six month period (August 1, 1995 to January 31, 1996). There were 103 admissions, representing 8.7 % of total admissions to the me dical wards. Solid rumours and haematological malignancies accounted for eq ual proportions of admissions. 62% were emergency admissions. Investigation of constitutional symptoms, abnormal physical findings, infection and chem otherapy were the commonest reasons for admission. Complications developed in 42.7% of admissions, the commonest being renal and/or hepatic impairment ; anaemia, leukopaenia and thrombocytopenia; and nosocomial infections. 35% of the patients died during the study period. The mean length of stay was 12.9 days (SD 12.8). Mean hospital stay tvas significantly longer in admiss ions involving an initial diagnosis of cancer and in those resulting in com plications (p < 0.001).