Racial disparities in the management and outcomes of primary osseous neoplasms of the spine: a SEER analysis

Purpose Primary osseous neoplasms of the spine, including Ewing’s sarcoma, osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and chordoma, are rare tumors with significant morbidity and mortality. The present study aims to identify the prevalence and impact of racial disparities on management and outcomes of patients with these malignancies. Methods The 2000 to 2020 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Registry, a cancer registry, was retrospectively reviewed to identify patients with Ewing’s sarcoma, osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, or chordoma of the vertebral column or sacrum/pelvis. Study patients were divided into race-based cohorts: White, Black, Hispanic, and Other. Demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment variables, and mortality were assessed. Results 2,415 patients were identified, of which 69.8% were White, 5.8% Black, 16.1% Hispanic, and 8.4% classified as “Other”. Tumor type varied significantly between cohorts, with osteosarcoma affecting a greater proportion of Black patients compared to the others ( p < 0.001 ). A lower proportion of Black and Other race patients received surgery compared to White and Hispanic patients ( p < 0.001 ). Utilization of chemotherapy was highest in the Hispanic cohort ( p < 0.001 ), though use of radiotherapy was similar across cohorts ( p = 0.123 ). Five-year survival ( p < 0.001 ) and median survival were greatest in White patients ( p < 0.001 ). Compared to non-Hispanic Whites, Hispanic ( p < 0.001 ) and “Other” patients ( p < 0.001 ) were associated with reduced survival. Conclusion Race may be associated with tumor characteristics at diagnosis (including subtype, size, and site), treatment utilization, and mortality, with non-White patients having lower survival compared to White patients. Further studies are necessary to identify underlying causes of these disparities and solutions for eliminating them.