Squamous Cell Carcinomain Renal Transplant Recipient

Um, S H; Oh, C W

Abstract

Skin diseases pose a significant problem for patients receiving long-term immunosuppression, in particular, kidney-transplant recipients. Most of these skin diseases are composed of neoplastic, infectious, or drug-related skin lesions. Skin cancer is the most common malignancy associated with immunosuppression. The incidence of squamous cell carcinoma in the immunosuppressive kidney- transplant recipient is considerably higher than in the normal population and skin cancers in these recipients tend to be aggressive in nature. Regular surveillance of renal-transplant recipients and early biopsy of suspicious skin lesions allow early detection of skin cancer. Patients should also be advised to avoid unprotected exposure to sunlight, to apply appropriate sunscreens and to stop smoking. We report a case of squamous cell carcinoma on the face of a 46-year-old male kidney transplant recipient who was on an immunosuppressive regimen.