BLADDER-CANCER IN RENAL-TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

Objectives. To determine if there is an increased rate of occurrence o f bladder cancer in renal transplant recipients. Methods. We reviewed the records of 3130 consecutive renal transplant recipients at the Uni versity of Wisconsin Hospital from 1980 to 1994. We then compared the rate of occurrence of bladder cancer in this population with that of t he general population of Wisconsin. Using an age-specific hazard model based on the rate of bladder cancer in the general population of Wisc onsin, we predicted the expected number of bladder cancer cases in thi s renal transplant population. Results. Using this model, one would ex pect 1.81 cases of bladder cancer in the renal transplant data set, as opposed to the observed 6, resulting in a relative risk of 3.31 of de veloping bladder cancer as a result of renal transplantation. Conclusi ons. There is a higher incidence of bladder cancer in renal transplant recipients. Therefore, despite a higher incidence of hematuria in thi s population, each noninfected patient with microscopic (or gross) hem aturia should undergo a careful urologic evaluation. (C) 1997, Elsevie r Science Inc. All rights reserved.