Skin cancers following pediatric organ transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Organ transplant recipients taking immunosuppressants are at increased risk of skin cancer. Although several studies have been devoted to adult transplant patients, few data are available on the long-term skin malignancies following pediatric organ transplantation.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to present the current state of knowledge on skin malignancies in patients who received their graft during childhood.


METHODS
This study reviews data from the literature and includes our personal experience.


RESULTS
Skin cancer is the most frequent malignancy following pediatric renal transplantation and the second most common after pediatric nonrenal transplantation. Skin cancers mainly include squamous and basal cell carcinomas. The occurrence of skin cancer in transplanted children is an extremely rare event during childhood. By contrast, skin carcinomas develop in early adulthood at an average age of 27 years. Other reported skin malignancies include anogenital carcinomas and melanoma. Cutaneous forms of Kaposi's sarcoma are exceptional in children.


CONCLUSIONS
The increased risk of skin cancer following pediatric transplantation justifies prevention and adequate education of children and their parents concerning sun avoidance and protection.
Euvrard
Sylvie
S
Dermatology Department, Hopital Edouard Herriott, Lyon, France. sylvie.euvrard@numericable.fr
Kanitakis
Jean
J
Cochat
Pierre
P
Claudy
Alain
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D001005:Anus Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D014565:Urogenital Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents