ORAL LESIONS IN ORGAN TRANSPLANT PATIENTS

Patients who have undergone organ transplantation can present with a v ariety of oral lesions that appear to be related either directly to th eir medication or arise as a consequence of drug-induced immunosuppres sion. Such lesions include hairy leukoplakia, an increased propensity to both fungal and viral infections and a high incidence of malignant change, especially lip cancer. Cyclosporin remains the immunosuppressa nt of choice in most transplant patients. Gingival overgrowth is the m ain unwanted oral effect associated with cyclosporin. Some 30% of dent ate transplant patients experience this problem, which is further comp ounded by concomitant medication with a calcium channel blocker. This review appraises the various oral problems that can arise in this grou p of patients and emphasises the importance of regular oral screening and the establishment of links with the various transplant teams.