Differences in Skin Cancer Rates by Transplanted Organ Type and Patient Age After Organ Transplant in White Patients

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Transplant Surgery
• Oncology

Background:

• Patients with organ transplants have a higher risk of skin cancer.
• Patterns of risk for subsequent skin cancers in these patients are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the risk patterns of multiple skin cancers in organ transplant recipients.
• To assess the influence of patient age and transplanted organ type on the development of additional skin cancers.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study of 5129 White organ transplant recipients (1992-2017) was conducted.
• Electronic health records were used to identify skin cancer diagnoses and transplant details.
• Statistical analyses, including Fine-Gray tests, compared skin cancer development rates based on organ type and age at transplant.

Main Results:

• 13.6% of recipients developed at least one skin cancer, with 6842 total skin cancers identified.
• Heart, lung, or kidney recipients had a higher likelihood of developing any skin cancer compared to liver recipients.
• No significant difference in the rate of developing second or third skin cancers was observed by organ type, but age at transplant affected the timing.

Conclusions:

• Organ transplant recipients, regardless of organ type, are at high risk for developing multiple skin cancers.
• While organ type does not influence the rate of subsequent skin cancers, patient age at transplant is a significant factor in the timing of their development.