Risk factors and treatment for Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (N-MSC) in solid organ transplant recipients

Abstract

Author(s): Geetika M. Patel, Suphiya Parveen, Avijit Mazumder

Background: Skin cancers that are not melanomas are known as Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers (NMSC), and they are the kind of cancer that is seen in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients (SOTR) the most commonly.

Objective: The purpose of this research is to give the latest information on the prevalence and take better care of NMSC in SOTR.

Results: The occurrence rates during ten years vary widely from country to country, ranging from 24% in Northern Europe to 80% in Australia to 15% in Italy. More than fifty percent of NMSC are found on parts of the body that are directly exposed to sunlight (the head and the palms of the hands, for example). Some risk factors have been discovered, some of which include age at organ transplantation, fair skin, the medication that suppresses the immune system type, cumulative exposure to sunlight, infections caused by viruses, and a variety of biological markers. Patients who have already been diagnosed with an NMSC for the first time have a risk that is 49 times greater of being diagnosed with a second NMSC. All transplanted patients should be advised to self-examine their skin and take measures to protect themselves from the sun. Skin surveillance over an extended period, prompt detection and severe management of any questionable behaviour, diminishing of immunosuppression medications, and switch to m-TOR inhibitors are all potential beneficial approaches for reducing the incidence of NMSC.

Conclusion: NMSC is the kind of malignancy that is seen most often in SOTR. Effective approaches for reducing the prevalence of skin cancer other than melanoma include early detection, education of patients, and change of immunosuppression.

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