Comparison of the incidence of skin cancers in patients on dialysis and after kidney transplantation

Skin cancer in renal transplant recipients: outcomes from a safety net hospital in Boston

BACKGROUND

Renal transplant recipients (RTRs) are prone to skin cancer due to the immunosuppression required to maintain graft function. Existing studies of skin cancer in RTRs focus on patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I-II, with limited documentation of incidence in skin types III-VI. This study seeks to better characterize skin cancers in RTRs with skin types III-VI.

PRIMARY AIMS

Compare the incidence of skin cancer in RTRs of skin types I-II with skin types III-VI.

SECONDARY AIMS

Explore the association between the development of skin cancer and other contributing factors in RTRs of skin types I-VI.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of RTRs at a single institution between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2022. Patients were followed from the date of transplant to the last clinical follow-up or death. 777 RTRs were included in the study, including 245 patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I-II and 532 with skin types III-VI. A total of 48 patients developed NMSCs, 2 patients developed melanoma, and 3 patients developed Kaposi sarcoma.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

There is a higher incidence of skin cancer in RTRs with Fitzpatrick skin types III-VI compared to the reported incidence among non-transplant recipients of the same skin types, but the incidence remains considerably lower compared to RTR of skin types I-II.

Squamous cell carcinomas in organ transplant recipients. Comparison of histopathological and clinical features of squamous cell carcinoma in patients after organ transplantation to immunocompetent patients

The occurrence of neoplasms is one of the most common complications and second most frequent cause of death in organ transplant recipients (OTRs). The most frequently occurring neoplasms are skin cancers, predominantly squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). However, the ratio between SCC and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in OTRs differs in several studies depending on the follow-up time, country, environment and other factors. In this population SCC has a more aggressive course with the presence of metastases and tends to have multifocal growth. The clinical and histopathological picture of SCC in OTRs differs from that observed in immunocompetent patients, which implicates tumour treatment and prognosis. The clinical features and distinctness which pertain to SCC in post-transplantation patients are described in this paper.

Incidence of betapapillomaviruses in the tumour and perilesional healthy skin in patients with basal cell carcinoma depending on sex, age, hair colour, tumour subtype, its location and dissemination

INTRODUCTION

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer in the Caucasian population. It is believed that infections caused by viruses from the genus betapapillomavirus (β-HPV) might be associated with the risk of BCC, but the spread of data on the prevalence of the virus in biopsies is significant.

AIM

To assess the presence and diversity of β-HPV in skin samples taken from the tumour and a fragment of healthy skin from the patients with BCC, as well as checking the correlation of factors listed below and presence of β-HPV infection in the studied patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted on the skin biopsies from 73 patients with histopathologically confirmed BCC. The following data were collected from patients: sex, age, hair colour and tumour location. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, the presence of β-HPV infection was detected in the tested samples. PCR and reverse hybridization assay were also used to genotype 25 types of β-HPV.

RESULTS

A statistically significant correlation was found between the sex and BCC type, BCC type and tumour location, BCC type and exposure to UV radiation, as well as between the hair colour and tumour location. The correlation between the BCC type and the number of tumours and HPV types detected was also noted.

CONCLUSIONS

Preliminary studies suggest that one of the risk factors for development of infiltrating lesions is the presence of a single HPV 93 infection, but further research is needed to confirm these assumptions.

Comparison of Kidney Transplant Function, Lipid Metabolism Disorders, and Glucose and Hemoglobin Concentration in Transplant Patients Treated With Proliferation Signal Inhibitor (Everolimus) or Calcineurin Inhibitor (Tacrolimus)

INTRODUCTION

After kidney transplantation (KTx) in patients with diagnosed cancers, calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus (TAC) is replaced by sirolimus or everolimus (EV).

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to compare the lipid metabolism parameters, KTx function, and glucose and hemoglobin (Hgb) levels in patients treated with EV to those on TAC.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The retrospective study included 114 patients: 54 (17 women and 37 men) aged 57.6 years (18-77 years) treated with EV and 60 (18 women and 42 men) aged 49.6 years (20-77 years) treated with TAC as a control group. Their total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), fasting glucose (FG), serum creatinine (SCr), Hgb, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were assessed. In the patients treated with EV, the above values were evaluated before conversion, as well as 12 and 24 months following the switch and were evaluated once in the group treated with TAC.

RESULTS

In the EV-treated group, the mean preconversion values after 12 and 24 months were as follows: TC 5.06, 6.59, and 5.98 mmol/L; TG 1.90, 2.48, and 2.20 mmol/L; FG 94.95, 97.85, and 104.05 mg/dL; SCr 1.46, 1.44, and 1.56 mg/dL; Hgb 12.46, 12.83, and 13.36 g/dL; and eGFR 50.3, 50.6, and 50.5 mL/min/1.73 m². In the patients on TAC, the authors obtained the following values: TC 4.6 mmol/L; TG 1.87 mmol/L; glucose 104.13 mg/dL; SCr 1.51 mg/dL; Hgb 13.96 g/dL; and eGFR 56.6 mL/min/1.73 m².

CONCLUSIONS

After conversion from TAC to EV, increased values of TC and TG were observed after 1 year, while the increased values of TC, TG, SCr, Hgb, and FG were observed after 2 years.

Variation in Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Incidence by Treatment Modality Among Patients Receiving Multiple Kidney Transplants

Importance

Existing data suggest that nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is more common in renal transplant recipients than in maintenance dialysis patients. However, whether the risk of NMSC varies as the treatment modality for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) changes between dialysis and transplantation is not well described.

Objective

To determine whether the incidence of NMSC is attenuated during periods of graft loss with a return to dialysis in those who receive multiple kidney transplants.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Retrospective analysis of data from recipients of kidney transplants from the Irish National Kidney Transplant Service database, linked with the Irish Cancer Registry, from 1994 to 2014. All analysis took place between January 10, 2018 and March 31, 2018. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated for NMSC incidence in comparison with the general population using Irish census data as the denominator. Incidence of NMSC was calculated with modality of treatment for ESKD varying over time; incidence rates and rate ratios associated with dialysis intervals were calculated using Poisson regression; and disease was defined according to International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision codes for cancer diagnosis.

Exposures

Kidney transplantation.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Incidence rates per 1000 patient-years and incident rate ratios of NMSC after kidney transplant.

Results

Data from the records of 3821 deceased or living donor kidney transplant recipients were assessed; 2399 (62.8%) male and 1422 (37.2%) female recipients; mean (SD) age at time of first data recorded, 41.9 (16.0) years. A total of 3433 recipients were included who had a functioning transplant on January 1, 1994, or received a transplant after that date up to December 31, 2014: 3215 received 1 transplant, 522 a second kidney transplant, and 84 had 3 or more kidney transplants. Periods of treatment with a functioning transplant were associated with a higher incidence of NMSC diagnosis than periods of graft failure: adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR), 2.19 (95% CI, 1.56-3.07), P < .001. The aIRRs of NMSC fell from 41.7 (95% CI, 39.38-44.15) per 1000 patient-years in the first transplant to 19.29 (95% CI, 13.41-27.76) in the dialysis period following the first allograft failure. Incidence similarly rose and fell following each subsequent consecutive transplant.

Conclusions and Relevance

In recipients of multiple kidney transplants, while the incidence of NMSC fell during periods defined by transplant failure, there was residual elevated risk. While ascertainment bias may have contributed to the observed trends, the stagnant incidence of invasive cancer overall highlights the need for continued cancer surveillance during graft failure.

Definitive Radiation Therapy for Merkel Cell Carcinoma Misdiagnosed as a Metastatic Tumor: A Case Report

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive cutaneous neuroendocrine neoplasia. Surgical resection is the first-line therapeutic option, and radiation therapy is an alternative treatment for inoperable cases. Herein, we report a case of primary MCC (cT2N0M0, stage IIA) of the head and neck region. This case was misdiagnosed as a metastatic tumor and referred to the department of radiation oncology for palliative irradiation. Additional immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the diagnosis of MCC, and the tumor was treated with definitive radiation therapy (66 Gy in 33 fractions), leading to complete in-field control. This case indicates that even in patients with suspected metastatic tumors referred for palliative treatment, patient characteristics and pathology should be carefully examined to avoid missing potentially controllable primary tumors. In such cases, MCC, although rare, should be included in the differential diagnosis of head and neck lesions.

Risk of Skin Diseases in Maintenance Hemodialysis

INTRODUCTION

Maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients are potential transplant recipients. One of the most common cancers in the population of kidney recipients is skin neoplasm. Skin infections are also of a particular importance. In this population, especially in patients on the transplant waiting list, full dermatological examination, including dermatoscopy, should be carried out routinely.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The research was comprised of 105 HD patients (57 men, 48 women) with a mean age of 60.8 (range 25-94) years. The patients' skin condition was assessed and a dermatoscopic examination was performed. We compared the incidence of skin diseases in the two subpopulations: HD patients (n = 89) and HD patients active on the transplant waiting list (n = 16).

RESULTS

Bacterial, fungal, and viral infections in the group of HD patients occurred in 24.7%, 14.6%, and 6.7% of patients, respectively. In HD patients on the waiting list, bacterial skin diseases were reported in 12.5% of patients, and neither fungal nor viral infections were noticed. Malignant skin lesions and precancerous conditions, such as basal cell carcinoma and keratosis actinic, developed in 4.5% and 3.4% of the HD patients. These malignancies did not occur in HD patients on the waiting list. The results show proper qualification for transplantation in maintenance HD patients before the waiting list. In the group of dialysis patients, 67.4% required dermatological care, while in the HD waiting group only 12.5% required dermatological care.

CONCLUSIONS

The presented results prove the necessity of performing dermatological examinations on HD patients. Some dermatological skin lesions, if not diagnosed and treated, could progress to cancer after organ transplantation.