Understanding Oncological Disparities in Mycosis Fungoides within Hispanic Enriched Communities

• Published in: Blood 2021-11, Vol.138 (Supplement 1), p.5016-5016
• Main Authors: Garza-Morales, Rodolfo, Velez-Mejia, Carolina, Liu, Qianqian, Michalek, Joel E, Diaz Duque, Adolfo Enrique
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0006-4971; 1528-0020
• DOI: 10.1182/blood-2021-151891

Introduction Cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are a heterogeneous group of extra-nodal non-Hodgkin's lymphomas that are characterized by a cutaneous infiltration of malignant monoclonal T lymphocytes (F1000Res. PMID 27540476). Among them, Mycosis Fungoides (MF) is the most predominant subtype, accounting for 50-65% of cases (An Bras Dermatol. PMID 30066762). Although most patients with MF are Non-Hispanic (NH), from the 1970s to 2010s there has been an increase in the percentage of HI patients (4% to 11%, respectively) (J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. PMID 32141115). Racial disparities in MF have been studied, but they are still poorly understood in Hispanic (HI) populations and further studies are needed to evaluate the role of ethnicity in MF outcomes. In this study, we focused on two communities, Texas (TX) and Florida (FL), which have a strong HI representation. According to the U.S 2020 Census, 39% of the population of TX and 26% of the population of FL are HI. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare demographics, treatment patterns, and survival outcomes of HI and NH patients diagnosed with MF, and to contrast HI cohorts between TX and FL. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed and recorded in the Texas Cancer Registry and the Florida Cancer Data System from years (y) 2006-2017. Inclusion criteria was histopathologic proven MF. Patients were divided into HI and NH for comparison. Standard demographic, socioeconomic, clinical, and survival variables were reviewed. All statistical testing was determined using Fisher's Exact test, Pearson's Chi-square test, T-test or Wilcoxon test, as appropriate. Survival time was measured using the day of diagnosis to last date of follow up or death. Survival distribution were calculated based on Kaplan-Meier curves. All statistical testing was two-sided with a significance level of 5%. Results We identified a total 2566 (1373 TX, 1193 FL) patients with MF. 319 (12%) were HI and 2247 (88%) were NH. The median age of diagnosis in our TX population was 50 y in HI and 59 y in NH (p < 0.001). In FL, the median age of diagnosis was 57 y in HI and 65 y in NH (p