De novo post-transplantation malignancies: Incidence and risk factors

Abstract

An increased incidence of cancer in immunodeficient and immunosuppressed\break patients is now well established. Improvements in transplantation procedures and immunosuppressive therapies have resulted in better short-term and long-term graft survival, but immunosuppression exposes patients to long-term complications [1]. Malignancies are becoming the greatest limiting factor for patient and graft survival following kidney transplantation, even as incidence of death related to cardiovascular diseases and infections is decreasing [2]. Cancers are frequently more aggressive in transplant patients and are more likely to be fatal than would be expected in patients who have not undergone transplantation [3]. © 2009 Springer US.