Racial disparities in treatment use for multiple myeloma

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Recent treatment advances have greatly improved the prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma. However, some of these newer, more effective treatments are intensive and expensive and their use remains low, particularly among black patients. METHODS: In the current study, the authors reviewed the use patterns of stem cell transplantation and bortezomib using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked database. RESULTS: After controlling for overall health and potential access barriers, black patients were found to be 37% (P