The role of race, socioeconomic status, and distance traveled on the outcome of African-American patients with multiple myeloma.

The incidence and mortality of multiple myeloma (MM) in African-Americans is double that in whites. We questioned whether race, socioeconomic status, and distance traveled affect overall survival. In a retrospective review of the records of 292 patients with MM. We found that the median age was 60 years and 38 patients were African-Americans. The mean distance traveled was 67.7 miles. The median overall survival was similar in African-Americans and whites. Race, distance traveled and socioeconomic status were not independent prognostic factors for overall survival. In conclusion, socioeconomic status, distance traveled and race did not affect outcomes of MM patients treated at a specialized myeloma center.