De Novo Malignancies After Liver Transplantation: Experience of a High-Volume Center

Purpose Patient care, newer immunosuppressive medications, and advances in surgical technique, have resulted in significant prolongation of survival after liver transplantation in recent years. However, as life expectancy increased and the early mortality rates have decreased, different problems have evolved due to chronic immunosuppressive therapy. The aim of the present study is to evaluate patients who were transplanted and then developed de novo malignancies, in terms of the type of malignancies and the follow-up period. Methods The study was conducted on 2814 patients who received liver transplantation between 2008 and 2020 in Inonu University Liver Transplant Institute. In total, the data of 23 patients were evaluated retrospectively. Results Non-melanoma skin cancer was the most common de novo malignancy (21.7%), followed by gynecological cancers (17.3%). The interval between the time of transplantation until the development of de novo malignancy was 36 (6-75) months. The median follow-up period after the diagnoses of the de novo malignancies was 4.11 years. One, 3-, 5-year survival rates of patients after the diagnoses of de novo malignancies were 69.6%, 56.5%, and 41.9%; respectively. Conclusion Non-melanotic skin cancers were the most common de novo cancers in liver transplant recipients. A strict surveillance program is very important in the follow-up of liver transplant recipients.

Automated summary

Liver transplantation has significantly increased survival, but has also led to the development of de novo malignancies due to chronic immunosuppressive therapy. The most common de novo malignancy was found to be non-melanoma skin cancer, highlighting the importance of a strict surveillance program in the follow-up of liver transplant recipients.