Risk factors for the development of cutaneous melanoma after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

Melanoma risk is increased after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), but specific risk factors are unknown.

Investigate risk factors for melanoma after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

We conducted a nested case-control study of 140 melanoma cases and 557 controls (matched by age at HCT, sex, primary disease, survival time) through the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research.

Melanoma risk was significantly increased among HCT survivors who received total body irradiation-based myeloablative conditioning (multivariable adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00-3.15) or reduced-intensity conditioning containing melphalan (OR = 2.60; 95% CI = 1.13-6.02) or fludarabine (OR = 2.72; 95% CI = 1.02-7.30) versus busulfan-based myeloablative regimens; were diagnosed with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) with stage 2+ skin involvement (OR = 1.92; 95% CI = 1.19-3.10), chronic GvHD without skin involvement (OR = 1.91; 95% CI = 1.03-3.57), or keratinocytic carcinoma (OR = 2.37; 95% CI = 1.16-4.83); and resided in areas with higher ambient ultraviolet radiation (ORtertile3 = 1.64; 95% CI = 1.01-2.67).

Data on individual-level ultraviolet radiation exposure and clinical data on melanoma characteristics were lacking. Additionally, misclassification of melanoma is possible as not all pathology reports were available for review.

These results emphasize the importance of adherence to current surveillance guidelines (routine skin examination, photoprotection recommendations), particularly for HCT survivors at highest risk.