Recommendations for Solid Organ Transplantation for Transplant Candidates With a Pretransplant Diagnosis of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Merkel Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma: A Consensus Opinion From the International Transplant Skin Cancer Collaborative (ITSCC)

Am J Transplant. 2016 Feb;16(2):407-13. doi: 10.1111/ajt.13593. Epub 2016 Jan 28.

Abstract

Advancements in solid organ transplantation successfully extend the lives of thousands of patients annually. The tenet of organ stewardship aims to prevent the futile expenditure of scarce donor organs in patient populations with high mortality risk, to the detriment of potential recipients with greater predicted life expectancy. The development of skin cancer posttransplantation portends tremendous morbidity, adversely affecting quality of life for many transplant recipients. This special article, provided by of members of the International Transplant Skin Cancer Collaborative (ITSCC), will provide the transplant professional with a consensus opinion and recommendations as to an appropriate wait period pretransplantation for transplant candidates with a history of either cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, or Merkel cell carcinoma.

Keywords: cancer, malignancy, neoplasia; clinical research, practice; dermatology; malignancy; melanoma, cancer, malignancy, neoplasia; metastatic disease; neoplasia; organ transplantation in general; risk factors, cancer, malignancy, neoplasia; skin, nonmelanoma, cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / surgery*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery*
  • Humans
  • International Agencies
  • Melanoma / surgery*
  • Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant
  • Organ Transplantation*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Prognosis
  • Skin Neoplasms / surgery*