Alarming trends and disparities in high-risk endometrial cancer

Abstract

Purpose of review 

To summarize the most recent publications highlighting the trends and disparities among patients diagnosed with high-risk endometrial cancer.

Recent findings 

Endometrial cancer mortality continues to rise, driven by the increasing incidence of high-risk histologic subtypes that accounts for a disproportionate number of endometrial cancer deaths. The lack of progress made in endometrial cancer treatment, particularly of high-risk histologic subtypes, disproportionately affects black women who are more likely to be diagnosed with these aggressive tumor types. Even when accounting for high-risk histology, various factors across the spectrum of care may influence the survival disparities between black and white women, including timely access to guideline-concordant care, clinical trial enrollment, and systemic racism that impacts cancer outcomes.

Summary 

In this review, we highlight the disproportionate impact of worsening endometrial cancer mortality and healthcare inequalities contributing to the endometrial cancer survival disparity between black and white women.