Racial Disparities Myeloma Cohort within a Center of Excellence
Description
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy of monoclonal plasma cells. African Americans have a higher incidence of MM than other races, and numerous studies have described potential disparities in cancer care. In this retrospective study, we investigated outcomes of MM within a single academic institution with a dedicated myeloma Center of Excellence. Data from a single academic institution’s cancer registry was analyzed for patients diagnosed with MM between 2015 and 2024. Demographic, treatment, and outcome data were collected. The association between survival and race was examined using bivariate analyses, a log-rank test, and both univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling. No statistically significant differences in 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates between the racial groups were observed. Medicaid insurance, higher age at diagnosis, active cancer status, negative family history of cancer, decreased alcohol use, and higher comorbidity burden were found to be significantly associated with increased mortality, independent of race. Our study found that African Americans patients with MM treated at this single academic institution with a dedicated myeloma center had similar survival rates when compared to White patients. Centralized care and dedicated Centers of Excellence may help mitigate racial disparities in myeloma care.
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Institutions
- University of Arkansas for Medical SciencesArkansas, Little Rock