Update on the pathogenesis of post-transplant skin cancer in renal transplant recipients

Remarkable advances in the field of transplantation over the last several decades have benefited many thousands of patients. Five-year survival ranges from 90% for a live donor renal transplant to 85% for a cadaveric renal transplant. However, with this success come the complications of chronic immunosuppression. Lifelong immunosuppressive treatment for adequate graft function results in reduction of immunosurveillance, with increased risk of various cancers leading to substantial morbidity and mortality in these patients. This review discusses multifactorial intrinsic and extrinsic factors contributing to the pathogenesis of skin cancers in renal transplant recipients and reviews potential solutions.