Elevated incidence of head and neck cancer in solid organ transplant recipients

Abstract

Background Solid organ transplant recipients are known to be at an increased risk of cancer development, but research on head and neck cancer in transplant recipients has been limited and prior risk assessments may not be accurate. Methods A retrospective review using a national Veterans Administration database to query outpatient problem lists for ICD codes indicating solid organ transplant and subsequent diagnosis of head and neck cancer. Results In a study of 30 939 656 patients (37 969 solid organ transplants and 113 995 head and neck cancers), history of transplant significantly predicted head and neck cancer, with relative risks ranging from 1.85 (thyroid) to 2.91 (salivary gland). Worse overall survival (OS) was seen for head and neck cancer patients with prior transplants. Conclusions In a large case‐control study, prior transplant was a risk factor for head and neck cancer development and worse OS for head and neck cancer patients.

Otorhinolaryngological dysfunctions induced by chronic kidney disease in pre- and post-transplant stages

“…A large cohort study on solid organ transplant recipients, conducted by Mowery et al found increased risk of TC after transplantation [5]. RTRs constituted 50.5% of all participants in this study [5]. It was reported that the risk of TC was elevated both, after kidney transplantation and in patients with CKD on hemodialysis [41,42].…”

“…Thyroid cancer Thyroid cancer (TC) is another neoplasm that was suggested not to be related to viral infection [36]. A large cohort study on solid organ transplant recipients, conducted by Mowery et al found increased risk of TC after transplantation [5]. RTRs constituted 50.5% of all participants in this study [5].…”

“…Various researches presented co-carcinogenic influence of HPV and EBV on oncogenesis in oral cavity, oro-and nasopharynx, and larynx [32,34,35]. Among head and neck cancers, especially high incidence of oral and oropharyngeal cancers after solid organ transplantation was observed [5,37].…”

“…It could have resulted from various metabolic changes induced by chronic kidney failure, mainly hypocalcaemia-induced secondary hyperparathyroidism and decreased serum levels of selenium [41]. Mowery et al found that organ recipients were prone to develop salivary gland cancer (SGC) [5]. Piselli et al reported the significantly increased risk of SGC after kidney transplantation [38].…”

“…Ototoxic and immunosuppressive drugs used in CKD therapy also lead to a number of systemic complications [3]. It was established that immunosuppression in patients after kidney transplantation predisposes to various infections, especially opportunistic ones, and to malignancy occurrence [4,5]. CKD affects a vast majority of organ systems, but the focus of this review will be on otorhinolaryngological complications of CKD both in pre-and post-transplant stage.…”