TUMORS OF THE GENITOURINARY TRACT IN RENAL-TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS - CLINICAL AND RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS

In order to study the clinical and radiological manifestations of post -transplantation malignant genito-urinary tumours in kidney recipients , we reviewed nine cases of genito-urinary neoplasms among 65 malignan cies which developed in 61 of 620 kidney recipients. Ultrasound (US) a nd CT examinations were available in all the cases and MRI imagining i n three. For each patient we reviewed the date of transplantation, imm unosuppressive therapy, pathology an surgical reports and relevant rad iographic studies. We determined tumour volume, the presence of necros is and tumour extension. The malignant tumours included B-cell non-Hod gkin lymphomas of the native kidney (2) and urinary bladder (1), renal cell carcinoma (1), urotheliomas of the renal pelvis (1), ureter (1) and bladder (1), epidermoid carcinoma of the renal pelvis (1) and embr yonal testicular carcinoma (1). Two of the three lymphomas developed i n cyclosporine-treated recipients and regressed after reduction of het cyclosporin dose. The lymphomas presented as solid masses with necros is visible on T2-weighted MRI images. Other non-lymphomatous neoplasms were characterised by a large tumour volume and advanced local and re gional extension. Five patients died within 2 years after diagnosis. I t is concludes that the high incidence of malignancies (9.8%), especia lly of the genito-urinary tract (1.4%), and their advanced stage warra nt radio-graphic follow-up studies.