BACKGROUND: Organ transplant recipients are at higher risk for developing lymphoid tumors, skin carcinomas, and sarcomas. Whether liver transplant recipients are at higher risk for developing more common cancers is unclear. METHODS: All patients with a history of malignancy prior to liver transplantation and those who developed malignancy, either de novo or recurrent, after transplantation were identified retrospectively. The following parameters were examined: age at diagnosis; indication for transplant; interval from transplant to tumor diagnosis; tumor treatment received; predisposing factors for the development of cancer; immunosuppression regimen, including the use of OKT3; number and treatment of rejection episodes; and survival. RESULTS: Of 888 patients, 29 (3.2%) had 31 previous malignancies; of these 29 patients, 4 developed a recurrence in the posttransplant period. Thirty-nine patients (4.3%) developed 43 de novo nonlymphoid malignancies. Alcoholic cirrhotic patients had a significantly higher incidence of de novo carcinomas. Except for skin carcinomas, tumors did not occur with greater frequency than in the general population, and recurrent tumors were not more aggressive than reported for that disease. One patient had an unrecognized renal cell carcinoma at the time of transplant that progressed rapidly; this patient died 64 days after transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: With current immunosuppressive regimens, liver transplant patients do not appear to be at an increased risk for developing nonlymphoid solid organ tumors. However, longer follow-up will be necessary to confirm these results.
BACKGROUND: Organ transplant recipients are at higher risk for developing lymphoid tumors, skin carcinomas, and sarcomas. Whether liver transplant recipients are at higher risk for developing more common cancers is unclear. METHODS: All patients with a history of malignancy prior to liver transplantation and those who developed malignancy, either de novo or recurrent, after transplantation were identified retrospectively. The following parameters were examined: age at diagnosis; indication for transplant; interval from transplant to tumor diagnosis; tumor treatment received; predisposing factors for the development of cancer; immunosuppression regimen, including the use of OKT3; number and treatment of rejection episodes; and survival. RESULTS: Of 888 patients, 29 (3.2%) had 31 previous malignancies; of these 29 patients, 4 developed a recurrence in the posttransplant period. Thirty-nine patients (4.3%) developed 43 de novo nonlymphoid malignancies. Alcoholic cirrhoticpatients had a significantly higher incidence of de novo carcinomas. Except for skin carcinomas, tumors did not occur with greater frequency than in the general population, and recurrent tumors were not more aggressive than reported for that disease. One patient had an unrecognized renal cell carcinoma at the time of transplant that progressed rapidly; this patient died 64 days after transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: With current immunosuppressive regimens, liver transplant patients do not appear to be at an increased risk for developing nonlymphoid solid organ tumors. However, longer follow-up will be necessary to confirm these results.
Authors: Francis Y Yao; Manjushree Gautam; Caren Palese; Raquel Rebres; Norah Terrault; John P Roberts; Marion G Peters Journal: Clin Transplant Date: 2006 Sep-Oct Impact factor: 2.863
Authors: A F Ochsenbein; P Klenerman; U Karrer; B Ludewig; M Pericin; H Hengartner; R M Zinkernagel Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 1999-03-02 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Kymberly D S Watt; Rachel A Pedersen; Walter K Kremers; Julie K Heimbach; William Sanchez; Gregory J Gores Journal: Gastroenterology Date: 2009-09-18 Impact factor: 22.682