Skin cancer in Australian heart transplant recipients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Cutaneous malignancy is a major cause of morbidity in organ transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVE:

Our purpose was to report on skin cancer in Australian heart transplant recipients with analysis of HLA factors.

METHODS:

We reviewed histologically proven skin cancers in the first 455 patients undergoing organ transplantation in Sydney, Australia.

RESULTS:

The cumulative incidence of skin cancer was 31% at 5 years and 43% at 10 years with a squamous cell carcinoma/basal cell carcinoma ratio of 3:1. Caucasian origin, increasing age at transplantation, and duration of follow-up were significantly associated with skin cancer. Skin cancer accounted for 27% of 41 deaths occurring after the fourth year. Recipient HLA-DR homozygosity was associated with skin cancer overall, whereas HLA-DR7 was a protective factor in skin cancer overall, squamous cell carcinoma, and Bowen's disease. HLA-A1 and HLA-A11 were significant protective factors in Bowen's disease.

CONCLUSION:

Skin cancer is a major cause of morbidity and long-term mortality in heart transplant patients.

• Authors: C S Ong, A M Keogh, S Kossard, P S Macdonald, P M Spratt
• Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (J Am Acad Dermatol) Vol. 40 Issue 1 Pg. 27-34 (Jan 1999) ISSN: 0190-9622 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9922009 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• HLA Antigens
• HLA-DR Antigens

Topics

• Australia (epidemiology)
• Carcinoma, Basal Cell (epidemiology)
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (epidemiology)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• HLA Antigens (analysis, genetics)
• HLA-DR Antigens (genetics)
• Heart Transplantation (statistics & numerical data)
• Homozygote
• Humans
• Immunosuppression Therapy
• Incidence
• Logistic Models
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Morbidity
• Postoperative Complications (epidemiology)
• Retrospective Studies
• Risk Factors
• Skin Neoplasms (epidemiology)
• Time Factors