Increased incidence of gastric cancer in renal transplant recipients.
OBJECTIVE
The risk of malignancy after transplantation is regarded to be higher than in the general population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of gastric cancer in renal transplant recipients.


METHODS
A total of 820 renal transplantation recipients were invited for gastric cancer screening. Frequencies of gastric cancer in this cohort and in 10,080 asymptomatic subjects were compared. Cancer specimens were examined for Epstein-Barr virus by in situ hybridization.


RESULTS
A total of 509 recipients (mean age, 48.1 ± 10.7 y; men, 56.8%) participated. Fifteen (2.9%) and 10 (0.1%) cases of adenocarcinoma were identified among recipients and controls, respectively (P<0.001; odds ratio, 30.58). Early gastric cancer was detected in 9 of the 15 recipients, and 4 of the 9 were treated by endoscopic resection. Recipient age was found to be a significant factor of gastric cancer development. In cancer tissues, Epstein-Barr virus was detected in 5 (33.3%) renal recipients and in 1 (10%) of the controls, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The frequency of gastric cancer was found to be higher in renal recipients than in controls. Gastric cancer screening should be considered after transplantation, because it would provide cure by minimally invasive treatment.
Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Jae Myung
JM
Park
Myung-Gyu
MG
Choi
Chul Woo
CW
Yang
Chan Kwon
CK
Jung
Suk Kyeong
SK
Lee
A-ran
AR
Yoon
Yong Soo
YS
Kim
In-Sik
IS
Chung
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005773:Gastroscopy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011159:Population Surveillance; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents