Extrahepatic Malignancies and Liver Transplantation: Current Status

Recipients of liver transplantation (LT) remain at higher risk (adjusted for other risk factors) of de novo malignancies (DNMs). The higher risk can be attributed to the effect of immunosuppression and patient-related risk factors (age, tobacco, alcohol, etiology of liver disease). DNMs are an important cause of late mortality in liver transplant recipients. The pattern (type) of posttransplant malignancies reflects pattern in local population. The common types include skin cancers, solid organ malignancies, and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders. Counseling of patients about risk factors and surveillance protocols may help in the prevention and diagnosis at early stage. We also discuss the results of LT in patients with a history of extrahepatic malignancy in the pretransplant period.