[High-dose treatment with autologous stem cell support in a Norwegian region].
BACKGROUND
The introduction of high-dose treatment with autologous stem cell support (HMAS) in Norwegian regional hospitals in the early 1990s was controversial. Concerns that low numbers of patients would lead to unacceptably low quality were expressed.


METHODS
We present treatment results in the health region of Middle Norway, based on nearly 10 years of experience and 100 treated patients. Myeloma results are compared to the results from other Norwegian regional hospitals.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall survival for multiple myeloma after HMAS (median 6.8 years) was not significantly different in middle Norway compared to the rest of the country, and comparable with published results. Treatment-related mortality was low (1.2%). Results and complications in malignant lymphoma, breast cancer or germ cell tumours are described. HMAS can be satisfactorily given in a regional hospital with relatively few patients.
Hammerstrøm
Jens
J
St. Olavs Hospital, 7600 Trondheim. jens.hammerstrom@medisin.ntnu.no
Aasland
Irene Line
IL
Telhaug
Ragnar
R
Moen
Torolf
T
Lødemel
Bottolf
B
Sørum
Yngve
Y
Brudevold
Robert
R
Herlofsen
Oluf
O
Sørbø
Jon Hjalmar
JH
Almvik
Turid
T
Lamvik
Jon
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D009664:Norway; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents