Suchitra Sundaram, MD, emphasizes the significant disparities in the treatment and outcomes of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), which arise from a complex interaction of factors including demographics, socioeconomic status, and access to quality healthcare. Dr Sundaram notes that Black patients present at a younger age and have consistently lower survival rates compared with White patients, underscoring the need for further validation of these findings in larger studies.
Additionally, underinsured patients often face more advanced disease stages and comorbidities, complicating their treatment outcomes. Dr Sundaram advocates for increased minority representation in clinical trials and improved access to novel therapies to address these disparities and ensure equitable care for all patients with DLBCL.
