Advanced native-kidney carcinoma in a heart- and kidney-transplanted patient: a case report

CEN Case Rep. 2018 May;7(1):132-136. doi: 10.1007/s13730-018-0310-9. Epub 2018 Jan 31.

Abstract

Malignancies are one of the leading causes of death in long-term surviving transplant recipients. Dose and prolonged durations of immunosuppressive regimens are considered the main cause, through a direct oncogenic effect and a renowned interaction on physiological anti-viral and anti-oncogenic immune response. Specific neoplasms are known to occur with different frequencies according to the transplanted organ. As a consequence, imaging screenings have been implemented in many graft surveillance programs, although a wide consensus on the timing and modality has not been concurred. There are little data available in the literature regarding incidence of de-novo malignancies in multi-organ recipients. We report the case of a 66-year-old man who developed a renal mass 10 years after a combined heart-kidney transplant.

Keywords: Cancer screening; Heart transplantation; Immunosuppression; Kidney transplantation; Post-transplant malignancy.