[Incidence of de novo neoplasms after liver transplantation].
BACKGROUND
De novo malignancy developing after transplantation constitutes a well-known complication or organ transplantation, mainly described among renal recipients.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of de novo internal malignancies (excluding therefore skin cancers and recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma) in a cohort of 183 patients undergoing liver transplantation (OLT) between 6/1/1991 and 12/1/1996 with a minimum follow-up of 12 months and under cyclosporine-azathioprine-prednisone.


METHODS
The study comprised 183 patients (mean age: 53 [8] years, with 70% males) whose charts were reviewed retrospectively. Rejection, steroids treatment, methyl-prednisolone bolus and OKT3 use were compared in the cases and in the matched control group.


RESULTS
Seven malignancies were detected: 3 lung carcinomas, 1 larynx, 1 prostate, 1 colon and 1 ovarian. The mean age was 53 (8) years. The diagnosis of cancer was made at an average time of 24 (17) months (range, 10-54) post-OLT. Three patients died with a mean survival of 31 (16) months. OLT indication was mainly for viral liver disease (5/7). Although not statistically significant, immunosuppression data were higher among patients with cancer than in the matched group. Two additional patients developed post-transplantation lymphoproliferative diseases at 2 and 9 months, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
We observed a wide variety of malignancies after OLT, but no associated factor was found, even though there was a trend to higher doses of immunosuppression in patients with cancers. The institution of preventive measures and surveillance programs may allow for early institution of therapy, improving therefore the survival.
Berenguer
M
M
Servicio de Medicina Digestiva, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia. jb101v@nacom.es
Prieto
M
M
Bustamante
M
M
Carrasco
D
D
López-Andújar
R
R
Mir
J
J
Berenguer
J
J
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D015994:Incidence; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis
Incidencia de neoplasias internas después del trasplante hepático.