Trends in myeloma relative survival in Queensland by treatment era, age, place of residence, and socioeconomic status

Abstract

Relative survival (RS) in myeloma has improved in younger but not older patients (≥80 years) with treatment advances. Whether place of residence or socioeconomic status (SES) affect RS is unknown. We used the Queensland cancer registry to calculate the five-year RS of myeloma patients diagnosed between 1982 and 2014. This period was divided into three eras: (1) 1982–1995 chemotherapy alone; (2) 1996–2007 autologous stem cell transplantation; (3) 2008–2014 novel agents (proteasome inhibitors and IMIDs). 6025 patients were diagnosed from 1982 to 2014. RS improved across eras: (1) 30% vs. (2) 43% vs. (3) 53% (p < .001 (2) vs. (1); p < .001 (3) vs. (2)). RS improved across all age groups, including patients ≥80 years. Patients with disadvantaged SES (39% vs. affluent 46%; p < .001) and rural patients (40% vs. urban 45%; p < .001) had an inferior RS. RS has improved across all ages with treatment advances.