Skin cancers after transplantation

Renal transplantation has been performed for more than 35 years with a large success. However, the organ tolerance has to be associated with the induction and the maintenance of an immunosuppressive status in the patient which induces the development of skin cancers. Skin cancers are considered to be the most frequent tumours in transplant patients. The incidence of skin cancer is increased in transplant recipients as compared to the general population and varies according to the country concerned. Thus, Hartevelt et al. [1] found a cumulative incidence of skin cancer, ranging from 10 to 40% at 10 and 20 years after transplantation. This incidence is higher in Australians, 45 and 70% at 10 and 20 years, respectively, after the transplantation. This fact is related to more intense sun exposure at these latitudes. Among the skin cancers, cutaneous premalignant and malignant epithelial lesions (carcinoma) are the most frequent skin tumours in organ transplant recipients [2-4].