Comparison of skin cancers in liver and renal transplant recipients: Results of a prospective study in an Australian tertiary referral centre

Abstract Background/Objectives Organ transplant recipients ( OTR ) have an increased risk of skin cancers compared with the general population. Methods A prospective study of renal ( RTR ) and liver transplant recipients ( LTR ) was conducted in a single New South Wales tertiary referral centre over 60 months. Initial and subsequent visit data were recorded in our transplant database. Only patients with a minimum of 11 months follow up were included. Results Altogether 142 RTR and 88 LTR were included in the analysis. Compared with RTR , the median age of liver transplant recipients was higher (64 vs 57 years), more men were patients (73 vs 60%) and there were higher rates of high‐risk skin types (54 vs 33%) and heavy sun exposure (43 vs 30%). RTR developed 304 non‐melanoma skin cancers ( NMSC ) with a squamous cell carcinoma:basal cell carcinoma ratio of 1.7:1. LTR developed 205 NMSC with a squamous cell carcinoma:basal cell carcinoma ratio of 1.6:1. The odds ratio of developing NMSC in LTR : RTR was 1.8:1 (95% CI : 1.02–3.11, P = 0.044) on univariate analysis but there was no difference on multivariate analysis. A previous history of NMSC , age, time from transplant from first visit, skin phenotype and previous sun exposure were significant risk factors for developing NMSC . Conclusions Liver transplant recipients are not at a lower risk of NMSC than RTR . Our study supports routine and regular post‐transplant skin surveillance of all LTR , like other OTR .