Oncology in nephrology comes of age: A focus on chronic dialysis patients

Abstract

Dialysis is the commonest modality of renal replacement therapy for patients suffering from end‐stage kidney disease. Different registry studies showed that the risks of overall cancer occurrence were significantly higher in chronic dialysis patients than in the age‐matched general population. However, the frequency and pattern of different cancers may vary among different geographical areas. Since chronic dialysis patients tend to have multiple comorbidities and a shorter life expectancy, routine cancer screening in all dialysis patients may not be cost‐effective; rather screening should be personalized according to the patient's expected survival, candidacy for kidney transplant together with patient preferences.