Skin cancer and immunosuppression.
All immunosuppressive treatments, either pharmacological or physical, have the potential to impair the skin immune system network of cells and cytokines, thus leading to an increased incidence of skin cancer. Since skin cancer in transplant recipients may show uncommon clinical features and have an unusually aggressive course, transplant patients should be strictly followed up by experienced dermatologists in order to diagnose and treat properly any skin cancer in an early phase. Importantly, due to the fact that sun exposure increases immunosuppression in the skin, patients should be clearly informed about the additional risk of sun exposure and the preventive measures to be taken.
Gerlini
Gianni
G
Department of Dermatological Sciences, University of Florence Medical School, Via degli Alfani, 37-50121 Florence, Italy.
Romagnoli
Paolo
P
Pimpinelli
Nicola
N
D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control