Awareness of skin cancer by kidney transplant patients

Skin cancer is the most common malignancy occurring after kidney transplantation.

Our purpose was to identify the skin problems of kidney transplant recipients, the extent of their awareness of skin cancer, and interest in skin cancer screenings.

One hundred twenty-two patients were administered an oral questionnaire during regular follow-up at a renal transplant clinic.

The average time from transplantation was 3.1 years. Thirty-nine percent of patients reported skin problems, including warts, fungal infection, and skin cancer. Forty-one percent of patients were unable to recall specific skin cancer education, and 52% expressed an interest in skin cancer screening. Twenty-seven percent of patients had seen a dermatologist since their transplant, but only 14% were followed up regularly by a dermatologist.

We believe the need for continuing skin cancer education and early detection and treatment of skin lesions establishes an important role for the dermatologist on the transplant recipient's health care team.