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Reducing non‐melanoma skin cancer risk in renal transplant recipients
Author(s) -
Thet Zaw,
Lam Alfred K.,
Ranganathan Dwarakanathan,
Aung Soe Yu,
Han Thin,
Khoo Tien K.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
nephrology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1440-1797
pISSN - 1320-5358
DOI - 10.1111/nep.13939
Subject(s) - medicine , skin cancer , immunosuppression , renal transplant , chemoprotective , melanoma , population , intensive care medicine , cancer , transplantation , oncology , environmental health , cancer research
With an increasing number of renal transplant recipients (RTRs) and improving patient survival, a higher incidence of non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) has been observed. NMSC in RTRs are often more numerous and biologically more aggressive than the general population, thus contributing towards an increase in morbidity and to a lesser degree, mortality. The resultant cumulative health and financial burden is a recognized concern. Proposed strategies in mitigating risks of developing NMSC and early therapeutic options thereof include tailored modification of immunosuppressants in conjunction with sun protection in all transplant patients. This review highlights the clinical and financial burden of transplant‐associated skin cancers, carcinogenic mechanisms in association with immunosuppression, importance of skin cancer awareness campaign and integrated transplant skin clinic, and the potential role of chemoprotective agents. A scheme is proposed for primary and secondary prevention of NMSC based on the available evidence.