[Tumors of the face in organ transplant patients]

The greatly enhanced risk of developing pre-cancerous lesions, basal cell carcinomas, and squamous cell carcinomas in organ transplant recipients is demonstrated on the basis of three of our own cases.

Immunosuppression is discussed as the primary reason for enhanced tumour incidence and the occurrence of multiple synchronic and metachronic tumours after organ transplantation. UV exposition and oncogenic viruses must be taken into account as further factors for tumour disposition. More aggressive tumour behaviour has to be expected. In consequence, a focused clinical monitoring and a stringent therapy of the skin tumours is absolutely necessary.