Survival differences among AYAs with blood cancers

January 11, 2018|Hematology Times

Non-Hodkgin lymphoma

There were 4485 AYAs diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma during the study period—3064 males and 1421 females.

The 5-year survival rate was higher in females (75%) than males (46%) and in younger AYAs (69% for ages 15-24, 51% for ages 25-34, and 52% for ages 35-39).

Survival was highest among patients in the “other/unknown” race category (88%), followed by APIs (68%), LWs/NLWs (both 53%), and AAs (50%).

Survival declined with SES (68% for high, 54% for middle, and 45% for low SES).

And survival was lower for patients with advanced-stage disease (61% localized, 66% regional, and 46% distant).

“Adolescents and young adults go to the doctor less often because they have this superhero mentality, like they’re invincible,” said author Dennis Deapen, DrPH, of the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine.

“Once they do go to a health professional, their cancer diagnosis can be delayed because cancer isn’t the first concern doctors have for this age group. It comes as no surprise that patients diagnosed with late-stage cancer have reduced survival rates.”