Financial toxicity in hematological malignancies: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Economics
• Patient Advocacy

Background:

• Hematologic malignancy survival rates have improved significantly.
• The impact of financial toxicity (FT) on these patients remains understudied.
• FT arises from diagnosis and treatment costs, affecting quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review studies on financial toxicity in hematologic malignancies.
• To identify prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes associated with FT.
• To assess the standardization of FT measurement in research.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of 55 studies on adult and pediatric hematologic malignancy patients.
• Analysis of studies reporting FT as a primary or secondary outcome.
• Examination of risk factors, prevalence rates, and survival data.

Main Results:

• 20-50% of patients reported financial toxicity (e.g., lost wages, depleted savings).
• Younger age, low income, unemployment, and rural residence are key risk factors.
• Limited use of validated instruments (51%) and inconsistent definitions hinder comparability.

Conclusions:

• Financial toxicity is prevalent in hematologic malignancy patients and may correlate with adverse outcomes.
• Current research lacks standardized methods and longitudinal assessments for FT.
• Further research is needed to standardize FT measurement and develop mitigation strategies.