POSTTRANSPLANT MALIGNANCIES IN RENAL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

Posttransplant malignancies, are one of the important factors that affect the patient and graft survival. In this study, posttransplant malignancies are investigated retrospectively in 144 renal transplant patients in our unit between June 1991- November 1999. It is noticed that malignancy incidence is increasing with time in posttransplant period. In our series Kaposi's sarcoma is the most seen malignancy (%50). In one patient, there was gonadoblastoma caused by gonadal dysgenesis which overlooked preoperatively. In another patient, renal cell carcinoma observed after returning to hemodialysis because of chronic rejection. Kaposi's sarcoma relieved after cessation of immunosupressive therapy. Patients who did not accept expected graft loss and continued immunosuppressive therapy, died of generalized malignant disease. 

In conclusion, the severe results of continuing immunosuppressive therapy has to be discussed clearly with the patients who have posttransplant malignancies, especially pediatric patients have to be investigated in detail for congenital anomalies that can be overlooked in the picture of chronic renal failure and the patients returned to hemodialysis with chronic allograft rejection have to be followed strictly for posttransplant malignancy.