Cutaneous manifestations of renal transplantation in a New Zealand population.

Abstract

AIM:

To document the skin manifestations of renal transplant recipients.

METHODS:

The findings in 52 patients (27 males; mean age 43.5 yr; range 22-74 yr; SD 12.0) with a stable renal transplant for a mean of 115.6 mth (range 3-258; SD 70.6). Thirty seven patients were on prednisone and azathioprine and 18 on prednisone, azathioprine and cyclosporin.

RESULTS:

Including prior observations, 48 cutaneous malignancies were identified in nine patients, with the ratio of squamous cell to basal cell carcinoma being 1.2:1. No metastases were detected. Actinic keratoses were present in 20 patients and tended to be multiple and present on sun exposed skin. A wide range of nonneoplastic lesions was documented, including warts in 75%. Human papillomavirus was isolated from 43% of warts.

CONCLUSIONS:

Renal transplant recipients require regular skin examination. Patients with high recreational or work related sun exposure prior to, or after transplantation, and those who have had a previous skin malignancy, should be identified as high risk patients for skin cancer and have regular dermatological follow up.

• Authors: D J Hepburn, D Divakar, R R Bailey, K J Macdonald
• Journal: The New Zealand medical journal (N Z Med J) Vol. 107 Issue 991 Pg. 497-9 (Dec 14 1994) ISSN: 0028-8446 [Print] New Zealand
• PMID: 7830977 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Carcinoma in Situ (epidemiology)
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (epidemiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunosuppression Therapy (adverse effects)
• Keratosis (epidemiology, etiology)
• Kidney Transplantation
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Multivariate Analysis
• New Zealand
• Risk Factors
• Skin Diseases (epidemiology, etiology)
• Skin Diseases, Infectious (epidemiology)
• Skin Neoplasms (epidemiology)
• Sunlight (adverse effects)
• Warts (epidemiology, virology)