title: Posttransplant lymphoproliferative diseases.
abstract: The risk of developing cancer after solid organ transplantation (SOT) is about 5- to 10-fold greater than that of the general population. The cumulative risk of cancer rises to more than 50% at 20 years after transplant and increases with age, and so children receiving transplants are at high risk of developing a malignancy. Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is the most common cancer observed in children following SOT, accounting for half of all such malignancies. PTLD is a heterogeneous group of disorders with a wide spectrum of pathologic and clinical manifestations and is a major contributor to long-term morbidity and mortality in this population. Among children, most cases are associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection. This article reviews the pathology, immunobiology, epidemiology, and clinical aspects of PTLD, underscoring the need for ongoing systematic study of complex biologic and therapeutic questions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Nationwide Children's Hospital, OSU School of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Savoldo
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Punnett
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents