Hematologic Malignancies: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Clinical Outcomes in Population Health

Hematologic malignancies, including leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and related disorders, are a diverse group of hematopoietic cancers that continue to represent a substantial global health challenge. Although advances in diagnostic approaches and therapeutic strategies have improved outcomes in recent years, considerable heterogeneity remains in incidence, survival, treatment access, and long-term outcomes across different populations and healthcare settings. These disparities highlight the importance of considering both life-course exposures and broader social determinants when understanding disease patterns and outcomes.
This Research Topic aims to bring together studies addressing the epidemiology, risk factors, social inequalities, and clinical outcomes of hematologic malignancies. Particular attention is given to exposures and circumstances occurring across different stages of life, from early-life and environmental exposures to occupational factors, aging, and cumulative socioeconomic disadvantage, distinguishing critical/sensitive developmental periods from cumulative lifetime exposure, and clarifying the pathways through which early-life circumstances shape later cancer risk and survival. By integrating epidemiological, clinical, and population-health evidence, this Topic seeks to improve risk identification, support clinical decision-making, and contribute to reducing inequalities in hematologic cancer outcomes.
This Research Topic welcomes original research, reviews, and other article types covering, but not limited to, the following areas:
• Disease incidence, prevalence, mortality trends, and survival outcomes using population-based cohorts, registry data, and real-world clinical datasets
• Genetic susceptibility and hereditary risk factors for hematologic malignancies
• Early-life, environmental, occupational, lifestyle, and metabolic exposures linked to disease risk
• Socioeconomic and structural determinants, including education, occupation, income, deprivation, ethnicity, migration, and healthcare access
• Treatment-related risks, including secondary malignancies and long-term treatment sequelae
• Long-term survivorship outcomes, including morbidity, functional limitations, psychological well-being, quality of life, employment, financial insecurity, and social participation
• Prognostic assessment and risk stratification using modern analytical approaches, including machine learning, artificial intelligence, and multi-omics integration
• Disparities in incidence, diagnosis, treatment access, survival, and outcomes across populations and healthcare settings