What Race Has to Do With Pediatric Lymphoma

A new study from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine shows that race may play a role in the survival rates of children and adolescents with Hodgkin lymphoma.

Specifically, researchers found that African-American pediatric patients with the condition are less likely to survive this type of cancer than their white or Hispanic peers.

"Little was known about the association between race, ethnicity and survival in the pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma population," said Dr. Joseph Panoff, radiation oncologist and lead author of the study.

Complex disparities

The study, which was the largest yet on racial and ethnic disparities among children with Hidgkin lymphoma, also found that Hispanic males had inferior survival rates compared with white males.

Lymphoma is the third most common form of cancer in both children and adults in the U.S., and outcomes for children are usually favorable with the right treatment.

More research on how diagnostic and treatment practices vary among races could shed more light on why African American children with Hodgkin lymphoma have lower survival rates.

"Clearly, racial and ethnic disparities persist in the pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma population despite modern treatment, particularly in Florida," Panoff added. "The underlying causes of these disparities are complex and need further explanation."

Source: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine