Experience of the Transplant Units in the Pediatric Society in within the communities of Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla y León

Abstract

Introduction. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has become a first line curative procedure in children and adolescents with a variety of malignant and non malignant life-threatening conditions. The enormous progress achieved in the field and the accumulated experience in the management of the complications related to the procedure in children have significantly reduced its mortality and improved the quality of life of the surviving patients. In Spain, up to 10% of the patients transplanted are children.
Objective. To analyze the activity and results of pediatric HSCT in the centers of the Pediatric Society of Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla-León (SCCALP).
 Methods and patients. A retrospective analysis of the medical records of pediatric patients (aged ? 18 years) undergoing HSCT during the last 10 years at the HSCT Units of Salamanca, Oviedo and Santander.
Results. HSCT centers of the SCCALP are allowed to perform all types of hematopoietic transplantation in children. A median of 5 procedures per year were performed at each unit over the last 10 years. The most common indication for a HSCT was a malignant disease while a significant proportion of patients with an inherited condition underwent an allogeneic transplantation. Overall survival for all patients was 55 to 65%.
Conclusions. Indications and results of pediatric HSCT performed at the SCCALP centers are comparable to current practices. The procedure is safely performed in mixed (adult and pediatric) HSCT units when collaboration between the Hematologist and the Pediatrician is warranted.