Skin cancer in renal transplants

Abstract

Malignant skin tumours are more common following renal transplants. Squamous cell carcinomas (S.C.C.) are increased, in contrast to B.C.C. Kerato acanthomas (K.A.) were increased and showed a marked tendency to recur and appeared more aggressive than S.C.C.'s. Azathioprinc appears to be more likely to cause skin cancer than chlorambucil. This increase in skin epitheliomas may be due to a failure of endonuclease repair of DNA. Psoriatics appear to be less likely to develop these lesions.