Navigating Through the Complications of Chronic Immunosuppression in Transplant Patients

Abstract

The advent of organ transplantation has given hope to patients with end-stage organ failure. Allograft rejection is a transplant complication and remains a significant cause of transplant-related morbidity and mortality. Successful transplantation is achieved with immunosuppression, and the discovery of newer immunosuppressive agents has provided transplant physicians with more effective medications in preventing allograft rejection. On the flip side, long-term immunosuppression is fraught with complications such as predisposition to infections, malignancies, and cardiovascular diseases. The patient presented in the case report developed a transplant-related lymphoma many years after his kidney and pancreatic transplant. Primary care providers should be aware of these complications and educate their patients on measures to prevent some of them.