Introduction: Socioeconomic status (SES) and race is associated with receiving treatment in many cancers but the effect of SES on access to care for patients with acoustic neuromas has not been studied.

Methods: 9714 patients from the SEER Program at the National Cancer Institute database were included in this study. All patients were diagnosed with acoustic neuromas from 2003 to 2012. Patient SES was divided into tertiles based on an index developed by Yost et al. [1]. Race was self-reported (Caucasian/non-Caucasian). Treatment options included radiation (yes/no), and surgery (gross total resection [GTR]/other surgery/no surgery). Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze data with SAS v9.4. The results were adjusted for age at diagnosis, race, and sex.

Results: Patients of higher SES tertile and Caucasian race were significantly more likely to receive surgery (OR = 1.067, p=0.0137; OR=1.299, p=0.0002 respectively). Younger age at diagnosis was also a significant predictor of receiving surgery (OR=0.955, p<0.0001). Caucasian race was significantly associated with earlier age at diagnosis (beta=-0.41, p<0.0001), and higher SES also had an association with younger age at diagnosis (beta=-0.37, p=0.050). Older age at diagnosis was a significant predictor of receiving radiation therapy (OR=1.018, p<0.0001), as was non-Caucasian race (OR=0.821, p=0.0039).

Conclusions: The findings from this national study on patients with acoustic neuromas suggest an effect of SES and race on age of diagnosis and treatment received. Further studies are required to understand reasons underlying these disparities and how they may be addressed.

Patient Care: These findings from a national study give insight into socioeconomic and racial disparities in age at diagnosis and receiving treatment for patients with acoustic neuromas, which must be addressed.

Learning Objectives: 1. Socioeconomic status is a significant predictor of receiving surgery and age at diagnosis for patients with acoustic neuromas. 2. Race is an independent predictor of receiving surgery, receiving radiation therapy, and age at diagnosis for patients with acoustic neuromas. 3. Age at diagnosis is a significant predictor for receiving surgery and receiving radiation therapy for patients with acoustic neuromas.

References: 1. Yost K, Perkins C, Cohen R, Morris C, Wright W. Socioeconomic status and breast cancer incidence in California for different race/ethnic groups. Cancer Causes Control. 2001 Oct;12(8):703-11. PubMed PMID: 11562110.