Lip cancer in renal transplant patients

Abstract

The aims of this study were to establish the incidence of lip cancer (LC) in a population of renal transplant patients (RTPs), identifying possible risk factors and predictable variables, and to describe the clinical appearance, treatment, and course of LC in this group. The study included 500 patients (307 men, 193 women; mean age 53.63±13.42 years, range 19-95 years; mean period since transplant 59.66±55.81 months, range 4-330 months). Incident cases of LC were ascertained retrospectively from outpatient records. All LC lesions were sampled by biopsy and examined histopathologically. Six of the men (1.2%) suffered lower LC, and LC cases showed significant differences on univariate analysis for tobacco habit, tobacco consumption, and sun exposure. All patients who had LC were taking prednisolone and cyclosporine A (CsA) at the time of LC diagnosis. The median interval for LC incidence after renal transplant was 80.50±31.25 months. Five of six LCs were squamous cell carcinomas. Multiple logistic regression showed that the LCs were not significantly associated with any independent risk factor. The results show that the appearance of LC in RTPs is associated with immunosuppressant treatment, sun exposure, and tobacco and indicate that these patients should avoid unprotected exposure to sunlight and smoking. Because of the high incidence of LC in RTPs, periodic checking of the lips is important to ensure prompt diagnosis and correct management of LC. Our data suggest that the clinical profile of LC in this patient group is similar to that of the general population.