Purpose of review Pain continues to be a prevalent symptom in cancer patients. Patient's ethnicity may influence the experience of pain with variations in pain outcomes among different ethnic groups. The objective of this thematic review is to investigate the relationship between ethnicity and cancer pain experience, assessment and management. Recent findings Cancer pain is not only a biophysiological construct but is rather a multidimensional concept of physiological and psychosocial responses, including the biocultural dimension. Culture can significantly affect patients’ cancer pain-related beliefs and behaviors and patient's ethnicity may influence the experience of pain. We found a scarcity of data and an inconsistent literature that highlights gaps in knowledge, research and clinical practice concerning effective cancer pain management in a multicultural context. Summary To face disparities among ethnic minorities in cancer pain management, well-designed randomized controlled trials and robust qualitative research on cancer pain-related issues should inform good clinical practice. A close worldwide collaboration between researchers and clinicians and professional organizations is warranted.

Purpose of reviewHepatosplenic lymphoma (HSTCL) is a rare T-cell malignancy occurring in young males, associated with immune deficiency in 20% of the cases which, despite aggressive treatments, has a poor survival. Specific recommendations for first-line treatment remain debatable. Recent findingsPublished data covering case reports or series of HSTCL concur that allogeneic stem cell transplant should be proposed as a consolidation after response to chemotherapy in all patients eligible for transplant. In the light of two recent clinical examples, we also confirm that specific chemotherapy and a first-line consolidation with allogeneic transplantation when a donor is available to represent a treatment of choice these rare and distinctive lymphomas. Recent molecular studies are summarized in this review and suggest potential targets for new therapeutic strategies.

To eliminate the burden of health disparities and ensure the best outcomes in MEM's cancer patients, a collaborative approach from research and clinical practice is necessary. Only robust research from all countries exploring unmet needs of MEMs and striving for functional understanding can inform and innovate clinical practice.

No abstract