Blood and marrow transplantation activity in Europe 1996

Transplant activity by members of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) and related European teams is reported for 1996 by indication, donor type and stem cell source, Bearing in mind reports from previous years, the annual numbers of transplants for each indication, transplant rates for each participating country, changes in transplant rates by indication and changes in donor types and stem cell sources are described. A total 14 593 blood or marrow transplants, performed in Europe by 382 teams from 31 countries, were reported in 1996, Of these, 4393 (30%) were allogeneic and 10 200 (70%) were autologous transplants. Of the autologous transplants, 978 (10%) were bone marrow derived, 9222 (90%) from peripheral blood stem cells or combined bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell transplants. Of the allogeneic transplants, 3252 (74%) were bone marrow and 1141 (26%) were peripheral blood stem cell transplants. Main indications in 1996 were leukemias with 4961 transplants (34%), 70% allogeneic and 30% autologous; lymphomas with 5505 transplants (38%), 6% allogeneic and 94% autologous; solid tumours with 3484 transplants (24%), 1% allogeneic and 99% autologous; non-malignant disorders with 643 transplants (4%), 92% allogeneic and 8% autologous, There are major differences between countries. Transplant rates per 10m inhabitants per country ranged from 0 to >500 (median 202 per 10 m inhabitants). The most pronounced increase since 1990 for new indications in autologous transplants was observed in multiple myeloma and carcinoma of the breast, These data reflect recent changes and present status of blood and marrow transplantation in Europe. They provide a basis for patient counselling and health care planning.