Malignancy after renal transplantation: a single-center experience.

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Oncology
• Transplantation Medicine

Background:

• Evaluating cancer incidence and characteristics in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) in Lithuania.
• Assessing changes in KTR survival post-cancer diagnosis.
• Comparing Lithuanian data with international findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence and types of malignant tumors in Lithuanian kidney transplant recipients.
• To analyze survival outcomes for KTR who develop cancer.
• To identify risk factors for malignancy in this population.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 395 kidney transplant recipients.
• Data collected from Renal Transplantation Center of Vilnius University Hospital Santariškių Klinikos (RTC of VUHSK) between 2000 and 2010.
• Analysis of malignancy development and patient survival.

Main Results:

• 5.8% of KTR developed malignancies, with urinary system and non-melanoma skin cancers being most common.
• Cumulative incidence of malignancy reached 14.2% by 10 years post-transplant.
• Older recipients (>45 years) and those with gastrointestinal cancer had significantly poorer survival.

Conclusions:

• Older age is a risk factor for malignancy in KTR.
• Gastrointestinal cancers are associated with the worst survival outcomes in KTR.
• Enhanced screening for older KTR and those at risk for gastrointestinal cancers is recommended.