Advances in Blood Cancer Care for Veterans

Hematologic malignancies encompass a broad range of distinct cancers, generally categorized as lymphoid (eg, lymphoma), myeloid (eg, leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferative neoplasms [MPNs]), and plasma cell neoplasms (eg, multiple myeloma).¹ The veteran population is aging; this, in combination with other potential veteran-specific risk factors, is leading to an increased risk of hematologic malignancies.² Of note, the risk for MPN diagnosis has recently been studied in veterans who served during the Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf War eras.³ In addition, survival trends for different blood cancers, such as lymphoid malignancies, vary among veterans exposed to Agent Orange.⁴ Conflicting results have been found that point to the importance of future research.⁴ 

Veterans in rural areas face barriers to treatment and clinical trial enrollment due to long travel distances and lack of trial availability, creating what are termed “clinical trial deserts.”⁵ Teleoncology has become crucial in bridging this gap by improving access to blood cancer treatments and clinical trials.^5,6 Novel decentralized trial designs involving telehealth can further expand participation in remote areas.⁵ 

Over the past year, there have been advances in the treatment of blood cancers as well as the use of large data sets to better understand cancers trends and new technologies to reduce disparities in access to care.^6,7 The availability of greater therapeutic options, new care modalities, and improved risk assessments herald an exciting time in the care of patients with hematologic malignancies, with the expectation that this care will continue to advance through 2025.