Search

Background: There is limited information on the profile of melanomas diagnosed in a specialist transplant dermatology clinic., Objective: To describe the incidence and characteristics of incident primary melanomas in a cohort of organ transplant recipients (OTRs) attending a specialized transplant dermatology clinic and determine the number of pigmented lesions needed to excise for every melanoma diagnosed., Methods: A retrospective study of 327 OTRs monitored by an Australian clinic during a 10-year period., Results: There were 11 incident melanomas diagnosed during a total follow-up of 1280 patient-years. The mean interval between the first transplant and diagnosis was 5.5 years. Only 2 melanomas were >1 mm in Breslow thickness. Seven melanomas (64%) arose de novo. A contiguous nevus was present in 4 cases. Metastatic disease did not develop in the melanoma patients during the follow-up period, and all remain alive. The needed to excise for every melanoma diagnosed ratio was 16:1., Limitations: The crude incidence rates were age standardized, unlike the comparison rates of melanoma in the general population, and the cohort was small., Conclusion: Most melanomas diagnosed in OTR patients attending a specialized transplant dermatology service were detected early. Our data suggest early detection may reduce the proportion of OTRs presenting with thick melanomas, thus improving prognosis and patient outcomes. A needed to excise for every melanoma diagnosed ratio of 16:1 is not unreasonable for this cohort of high-risk patients. To our knowledge, this is the first time this ratio has been calculated for a cohort of OTRs., (Copyright © 2019 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Population registry data and published studies have demonstrated that melanomas in the transplant population occur 1.6-2.5 times more commonly compared with the general population. Studies examining possible risk factors have suggested that in this patient population, there is an increased number of melanocytic naevi. Whether this phenomenon is aetiologically related to subsequent melanoma development is currently unclear. Only one study examined the prognosis of melanomas in this population. The Israel Penn International Transplant Tumor Registry has collated patient data voluntarily submitted by transplant physicians throughout the USA since 1968. Analysis of melanomas in this study found that approximately half were Breslow thickness >1.51 mm. Overall, there was a high rate of nodal and distant metastases, with poorer 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates compared with the general population. There is a paucity of good-quality evidence regarding melanoma in organ transplant recipients. Further research involving international collaborative trials, particularly on risk factors and the prognosis of melanomas in this population, could present a more substantial evidence base from which treatment guidelines based on data could be developed.

The number of solid organ transplants has been increasing annually worldwide. Advances in transplantation surgery and community awareness of organ donation have been key contributors. Combined with increased understanding of immunosuppression, there are a growing number of solid organ transplant recipients in the community as a result of improved long-term outcomes. There remains a high incidence of deaths worldwide post-transplant due to non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), which has greater morbidity and mortality in this population than in the general community. Many transplant candidates are not screened prior to organ transplantation and not followed up dermatologically after transplant. After a comprehensive review of the MEDLINE database, we present an update of literature on risk factors for melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer development in transplant recipients. Medications used by transplant recipients, including immunosuppressants and antibiotics, are discussed along with their respective risks of skin cancer development. We conclude with evidence-based recommendations for models of care, including patient education and dermatological review of transplant recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cutaneous carcinogenesis is increased in immunosuppressed organ transplant recipients ( OTR). Tumour accrual is a useful measure for the rate of cutaneous carcinogenesis. There are few studies in tumour accrual rates in OTR in Australia. Methods This was a prospective study of renal transplant recipients in a single tertiary referral centre over 5 years (60 months). Outcome measures included tumour accrual, and numbers of skin cancers according to clinical risk factors (age, sex, anatomical location, skin phototype, duration of immunosuppression, history of graft rejection, acitretin use, occupational sun exposure and family history of skin cancer). Results A total of 142 patients were included in the study, with a median follow-up duration of 1.9 years. Of these patients, 53 (37%) developed a total of 341 invasive non-melanoma skin cancers ( NMSC) (253 squamous cell carcinoma [ SCC] and 88 basal cell carcinoma [ BCC]) over the study period. Accrual for SCC and BCC were 0.89 SCC/patient per year and 0.31 BCC/patient per year, respectively. The overall NMSC accrual was 1.20 NMSC/patient per year. SCC accrual increased with the duration of immunosuppression. NMSC accrual increased with a history of graft rejection. Conclusions The current study provides prospective, histologically verified and quantitative evidence for the increase of cutaneous carcinogenesis in renal transplant recipients in Victoria, Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]