Early Results of a Screening Program for Skin Cancer in Liver Transplant Recipients: A Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Transplant medicine
• Dermatology
• Oncology

Background:

• Skin cancer is the most common malignancy in organ transplant recipients.
• Early detection through regular screening can reduce advanced skin cancer.
• Liver transplant recipients represent a population at increased risk for skin cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine skin cancer screening referral rates in Danish liver transplant recipients.
• To calculate the incidence of skin cancer and preneoplastic lesions.
• To identify risk factors associated with skin cancer development post-transplantation.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of first-time liver transplant recipients (age >18) was identified (2018-2021).
• Referral rates, incidence, and risk factors for skin cancer/preneoplastic lesions were assessed.
• Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate risk factors.

Main Results:

• 89% of 246 recipients were referred for screening; 15.6% were diagnosed with 102 lesions.
• The incidence rate (IR) of any skin cancer/preneoplastic lesion was 103.2 per 1000 person-years.
• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were most frequent; time since transplantation was an independent risk factor (HR: 2.81).

Conclusions:

• The study established the incidence and risk factors for skin cancer in liver transplant recipients within a screening program.
• A high screening referral rate was observed, indicating program effectiveness.
• Time since transplantation is a significant risk factor for developing skin cancer/preneoplastic lesions.