Malignancy after heart transplantation.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence and type of malignancies after heart transplantation at a medical institute in Taiwan.


METHODS
From January 1987 to December 2008, a total of 66 patients who survived more than 30 days after transplantation were enrolled in this study.


RESULTS
Of the 66 heart transplant recipients, 8 (12.1%) post-transplant malignancies were diagnosed: 5 posttransplant lymphoproliferative diseases (PTLD), 1 prostate cancer, 1 lung cancer, and 1 squamous cell carcinoma of the cheek. The clinical presentations were diverse, and the diagnoses were confirmed by biopsy. Only 1 patient died of PTLD and subsequent multiple organ failure.


CONCLUSIONS
Cancer is a limiting factor for long-term survival after heart transplantation. The most common type in this study was PTLD. Early detection and aggressive treatment results in good response and preserves the allograft.
Chen
Po-Lin
PL
Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Chang
Hsiao-Huang
HH
Chen
I-Ming
IM
Lai
Shiau-Ting
ST
Shih
Chun-Che
CC
Weng
Zen-Chung
ZC
Hsieh
Yuan-Chen
YC
Yang
An-Hang
AH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology
D016572:Cyclosporine