Table 3

Characteristics of critically ill cancer patients who underwent autopsy


Missed major diagnosis
(n = 22)
Clinical diagnosis confirmed
(n = 49)
No pathologic diagnosis made
(n = 15)
P value

Gender (males/females)
12:10
29:20
7:8
0.688
Age (years)
59 ± 12
55 ± 15
50 ± 19
0.223
ICU LOS (days)
7.5 ± 7
8 ± 10
15 ± 14
0.039
Hospital LOS (days)
15 ± 13
18 ± 16
29 ± 26
0.054

Data are presented as means ± standard deviations, absolute numbers, or percentages. ICU, intensive care unit; LOS, length of stay.

Pastores et al. Critical Care 2007 11:R48   doi:10.1186/cc5782