Renal cell carcinoma in renal transplant recipients: Is there a role for screening?

Abstract

10528 Background: Renal transplant (RT) recipients are at an increased risk of developing renal cell carcinoma (RCC), mainly due to iatrogenic immunosuppression and changes in immune surveillance. Most RCCs in RT recipients arises from the native kidney, but rarely may arise from the allograft. RCC post-RT can adversely affect allograft function and long-term survival. Screening for RCC in RT recipients is controversial and is not routinely done. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of RT recipients who underwent transplantation between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2019. The following data were collected: Baseline demographic variables, cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), duration of dialysis prior to RT, type of RT (cadaveric vs. living donor), immunosuppressive regimen, site of RCC (native kidney vs transplanted kidney), time from RT to diagnosis of RCC, stage and Fuhrman grade, tumor histology, RCC treatment, and RCC-related mortality. RCC stage at diagnosis and survival were compared between patients who were screened versus those who were not. Results: Among 1998 RT recipients who underwent transplantation at Memorial Hermann Hospital (MHH) Texas Medical Center (TMC); 16 patients (0.8%) developed RCC. An additional 4 patients with RCC who underwent RT elsewhere but received follow up at MHH TMC were also included. Therefore, a total of 20 patients with post-RT RCC were identified, of whom 75% were men. Subject races included White (20%), Black (50%), Hispanic (20%), and Asian (10%). The median age was 56 years. Median duration of dialysis prior to RT was 36 months (range, 1–120). Median time to RCC diagnosis post-RT was 96 months (range, 16–312). Histologies included clear cell (75%), papillary (20%), and chromophobe (5%) RCC. RCC developed in the native kidney in 60% and in the allograft in 40% of the patients. Post-RT RCC patients were divided into those who underwent regular screening (n = 12) and no screening (n = 8). The regular screening group (n = 12) underwent ultrasound or computerized tomography annually or every 2 years. All of these patients had early-stage disease at presentation: stage I (n = 11) or II (n = 1). All patients who had RCC detected by screening were cured by nephrectomy (n = 10) or cryotherapy (n = 2). In patients who had no screening post RT, 37.5% had stage I, 25% had stage III, and 37.5% had stage IV RCC. Two patients with stage IV RCC died from metastatic disease. The RCC-related mortality was 0% in patients who were screened, compared to 25% in patients who had no screening. Conclusions: All RT recipients who had RCC diagnosed based on screening had an early diagnosis and no RCC-related mortality. Screening for RCC in RT recipients is an effective tool for early diagnosis and to reduce RCC-related mortality. Further research into the cost-effectiveness of screening is imperative.