Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Oman.
Hematopoietic SCT (HSCT) is an integral part of the management of patients with hematologic disorders. The Sultanate of Oman, with a population of 2.3 million, has an HSCT program based in the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) hospital. Initiated in 1995, this two-bed unit continues to be the only program in the country. Between June 1995 and August 2006, a total of 128 patients underwent HSCT in this center, averaging about 10-12 transplants per year. The median age of these patients was 11 years (2 months to 45 years). Hematologic malignancies (49%) and inherited disorders (42%) constituted the major transplant indications, whereas BM failure accounted for the remaining. The majority of transplants carried out so far have been HLA-matched sibling-donor allogeneic HSCTs. Among the inherited disorders, homozygous beta-thalassemia and primary immunodeficiency are important transplant indications in this center. The approximate cost of an uncomplicated transplant in this center is US$50,000. The success of this program has now led to the initiation of a new and larger HSCT complex to provide the opportunity for more patients to benefit from this treatment modality within the country.
Dennison
D
D
Department of Hematology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman. david_dennison@hotmail.com
Al Kindi
S
S
Pathare
A
A
Daar
S
S
Nusrat
N
N
Ur Rehman
J
J
Zia
F
F
Khan
H
H
Khan
M Irfan
MI
Alghazaly
A
A
Al Zadjali
S
S
Tauro
M
M
Al Lawatia
At
A
Ganguly
Ss
S
D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000628:therapy; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000628:therapy; D007938:Leukemia / Q000628:therapy; D009850:Oman; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000628:therapy; D019172:Transplantation Conditioning