Overview on non-melanoma skin cancers in solid organ transplant recipients

G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2014 Aug;149(4):383-7.

Abstract

The risk of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is significantly increased in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) due to the long-term immunosuppressive treatment. NMSCs can be more aggressive in SOTRs than in the general population, resulting in significantly higher morbidity and mortality. In contrast to the immunocompetent population, skin cancers in SOTRs are dominated by squamous cell carcinoma, followed by basal cell carcinoma. Life-long radiation exposure, male sex, fair skin, history of prior NMSC, genetic factors, age at transplant along with duration and extent of the immunosuppression therapy have been identified as risk factors for NMSC in SOTRs. Photo-protection, skin self-examination, early diagnosis and treatment of skin lesions, reduction of immunotherapy, switch to mammalian target-of-rapamycin inhibitors and chemoprevention with oral retinoids are effective measures for the reduction of the incidence of NMSC in such patients.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / epidemiology
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / etiology*
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / prevention & control
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / epidemiology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / etiology*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / prevention & control
  • Dermatologic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Incidence
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Organ Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Retinoids / administration & dosage
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Skin Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Skin Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Skin Pigmentation
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Time Factors
  • Transplant Recipients

Substances

  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Retinoids
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases