Racial and ethnic disparities in hematologic malignancies

Abstract

Racial and ethnic disparities in patients with solid malignancies have been well documented. Less is known about these disparities in patients with hematologic malignancies. With the advent of novel chemotherapeutics and targeted molecular, cellular, and immunologic therapies, it is important to identify differences in care that may lead to disparate outcomes. This review provides a critical appraisal of the empirical research on racial and ethnic disparities in incidence, survival, and outcomes in patients with hematologic malignancies. The review focuses on patients with acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloproliferative neoplasms, and myelodysplastic syndrome. The review discusses possible causes of racial and ethnic disparities and also considers future directions for studies to help decrease disparities.