It is time to stop ignoring malignancy in heart transplantation: a call to arms.
Increasing numbers of patients are surviving more than 5 years after heart transplantation. Despite the dramatic nature of coronary allograft vasculopathy, Cardiac Transplant Research Database data have shown, and International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Registry data suggest, that malignancy is the leading cause of death among long-term survivors of heart transplantation. Recommendations on malignancy screening are provided as well as an outline of areas of ongoing uncertainty.
Hauptman
Paul J
PJ
St. Louis University Health Sciences Center, MO 63110, USA. hauptmpj@slu.edu
Mehra
Mandeep R
MR
D005260:Female; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012042:Registries; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015996:Survival Rate; D014181:Transplantation Immunology; D014481:United States