Skin care in solid organ transplant recipients: risk-adjusted follow-up

Abstract

Solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) have an increased risk of skin cancer due to their long-term immunosuppressed state. These patients should benefit from pre- and post-transplant screening and management of skin cancer by a dermatologist. The frequency of the dermatological consultations mainly depends on the previous history of skin cancer and this will be discussed in detail. In addition to cancer screening and management, dermatological consultations serve to educate and enforce patients’ sun-protective behavior. Indeed, SOTRs are very sensitive to sun damage due to their immunosuppressed state, leading to cumulative sun damage and numerous in situ epithelial lesions termed ‘field cancerization’, which are large areas with increased carcinogenesis. Lesions should be recognized and treated as early as possible using therapeutic options ranging from topical therapy and surgical management to the adjustment of the patient’s immunosuppressive therapy and chemoprevention. Therefore, dermatological f...