BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANTATION IN EUROPE - MAJOR GEOGRAPHICAL DIFFERENCES

In 1991 171 teams in 21 European countries performed 4976 bone marrow transplants. There were 1829 transplants from an HLA-identical sibling donor, 101 from a non-identical family member, 30 from a twin, 217 from an unrelated volunteer donor and 2799 autologous transplants. Indications for transplants were leukaemias in 2569 (52%), lymphoproliferative disorders in 1472 (30%), solid tumours in 549 (11%), aplastic anaemia and thalassaemia in 261 (5%), inborn errors in 97 and miscellaneous disorders in 28 patients. There are marked differences between the participating European countries. They relate to absolute numbers, indications and techniques. Less than 10 transplants per 10-million inhabitants are performed in Eastern European countries. Ten to fifty transplants per 10-million inhabitants are done in two, 50-100 transplants per 10-million inhabitants in five, 100-200 transplants per 10-million inhabitants in eight countries and more than 200 per 10-million inhabitants in one country (P < 0.01). The number of transplant teams ranges from less than one to twelve per 10-million inhabitants (P < 0.01). For the continent it becomes 3.3 per 10-million inhabitants. The reasons for these differences are not explained by this survey. The most likely explanation for the differences in transplant activity is availability of transplant beds, trained staff and resources. Bone marrow transplants are expensive. However, the demand is increasing and will increase further with the routine availability of unrelated volunteer donors. Clearly, criteria are required in Europe to define the indications and solutions to meet the legitimate requirements for transplantation in the various regions of Europe.