Skin cancer in liver transplant recipients

Shin cancer is the most common malignancy arising in the posttransplantatio n setting. Multiple factors contribute to the high risk for cutaneous carci noma in immunosuppressed organ-transplant recipients. We review the phenome non of skin cancer in solid-organ transplant recipients and further delinea te the problem in the context of liver transplantation. Skin cancer is a si gnificant medical and surgical problem for organ-transplant recipients. Wit h prolonged allograft function and patient survival, the majority of solid- organ transplant recipients will eventually develop skin cancer. Although s quamous cell carcinoma is the most common cutaneous malignancy in this popu lation, basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and Kaposi's sarcoma, as well as un common skin malignancies, may occur. Highly susceptible patients may develo p hundreds of squamous cell carcinomas, which may be life threatening. Mana gement strategies focus on regular full-skin and nodal examination, aggress ive treatment of established malignancies, and prophylactic measures to red uce the risk for additional photodamage and malignant transformation. Skin cancer is a substantial cause of morbidity and even mortality among solid-o rgan transplant recipients. As a byproduct of immunosuppression, liver tran splant recipients experience a high incidence of skin cancer and should be educated and managed accordingly.