Adherence to Guideline-Concordant Care and Its Effect on Survival in Black Patients with Head and Neck Cancers: A SEER-Medicare Analysis

Abstract

Black patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) continue to have worse survival than White patients. This study examined if the racial disparity in survival from curable HNC is affected by adherence to guideline-concordant care (GCC). It was discovered that Black patients were less likely to receive appropriate treatment in certain HNCs. Although adherence to proper therapy was associated with improved survival in patients with HNC, the difference in survival, where Black patients had inferior outcomes, remained. This analysis uncovered a major contributor to the disparity seen in patients with HNC. As such, cancer centers serving a predominantly Black population with HNC can design specific clinical interventions to ensure GCC for all patients, potentially improving outcomes for everyone.