Neoplasia after Successful Renal Transplantation

Abstract

Neoplasia developed in 14 of the first 193 patients to receive renal transplants at the Johannesburg Hospital. No case of reticulum cell sarcoma was diagnosed and an extremely high incidence of squamous carcinoma of the skin occurred. Of the latter patients, 62.5% originally suffered from analgesic nephropathy, suggesting a possible relationship between the two conditions. Transplant recipients who later developed tumours were less likely to experience rejection episodes than other recipients, and this may suggest a generally depressed immune surveillance system in these particular patients.

Cutaneous Manifestations in Renal Transplant Recipients

“…No correlation could be observed between cutane ous lesions and such parameters as diabetes, daily or alter nate-day steroid regimen, number of rejection episodes, the use of antilymphocyte globulin or plasma creatinine levels. This agrees with the data of Disler et al [10], which were only concerned with the development of neoplastic manifestations.…”

Head and Neck Cancer in Cardiothoracic Transplant Recipients

“…The studies that followed focused on either cutaneous malignancies or PTLD. In 1981 Disler et al 14 showed that transplant recipients with cutaneous SCC had a greater risk of developing metastatic disease compared with the general population. Five years later, a study reported by Gupta et al 9 revealed that 74% of cutaneous SCC and BCC in the renal transplant population presented on the face, head, and neck.…”

Malignant Melanoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Patient Treated for Severe Pustular Psoriasis

“…Transplant patients with malignancy were found to have fewer rejection crises and better transplant longevity. This finding suggests that longer graft life may be associated with a greater degree of immunosuppression, which in turn is associated with diminished antitumor surveillance, and thus increased tumor growth ,…”