Healthcare utilization patterns and systemic barriers to care among adult hematologic malignancy survivors

Advances in treatment for hematologic malignancies have created a rapidly growing population of long-term survivors who carry a substantial and compounding burden of treatment-related late effects. As survival rates improve across leukemias, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma, the healthcare system faces increasing pressure to address the complex, often lifelong needs of this population. This review synthesizes current evidence on healthcare utilization patterns among adult hematologic malignancy survivors, examining visit frequency, service types, quality of life correlates, barriers to care, and survivorship care delivery models. A structured review of peer-reviewed literature, clinical practice guidelines, and population-based studies was conducted covering survivors of leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Sources were drawn from MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, and ASCO/NCCN guideline databases, prioritizing publications from 2015 to early 2026. Hematologic malignancy survivors contact general practitioners 1.6 times and medical specialists 3.6 times more frequently than age-matched controls. Multiple myeloma survivors and allogeneic HSCT recipients exhibit the highest utilization. Key drivers include psychological distress, comorbidity burden, chronic GVHD, and low socioeconomic position. Significant barriers persist: geographic isolation, financial toxicity driving medication non-adherence, provider knowledge gaps, and fragmented care coordination. Elevated healthcare utilization persists for decades after diagnosis. Closing care gaps requires risk-stratified survivorship models, structured care coordination, systematic financial screening, and investment in provider education. Future research must examine long-term outcomes associated with newer therapy platforms including CAR T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies.