Advanced melanoma risk greater in organ transplant recipients compared with general population

Source: Healio.com/dermatology, May 2015

Organ transplant recipients had a greater risk of advanced melanomas at diagnosis and melanoma-specific death compared with the general population, according to recently published study results.

In a nationwide, population-based study, researchers identified 49 melanomas in organ transplant recipients (OTRs) and 22,496 melanomas in the general public through Swedish health care registries. Patients had been diagnosed between 1984 and 2008; follow-up was through Dec. 31, 2012.

The researchers reviewed tumor slides of post-transplantation melanomas and calculated the odds ratios (ORs) for comparison of histopathological characteristics and hazard ratios (HRs) of melanoma-specific death.

Men made up the majority of patients with post-transplantation melanoma (71%), and the kidney the most commonly transplanted organ (84%). The trunk was the most common location of melanomas among the OTRs. Melanocytic nevus had a histological association with 73% of the OTR melanomas, whereas 63% of the OTRs had melanomas that were atypical or dysplastic.

The melanomas at post-transplantation were more advanced at diagnosis (Clark level III-IV: OR = 2.2; clinical stages III-IV, OR = 4.2) when compared with melanomas in the general population. OTRs had increased risk of melanoma-specific death (adjusted HR = 3), according to the researchers.

The researchers concluded that, because post-transplantation melanomas were often observed on the patients’ trunks, regardless of sex, and had a frequent association to melanocytic nevus, nevi observed at this particular anatomic site should be regarded as a precursor to melanoma.

“The risk of melanoma-specific death was greater in OTRs, partly explained by greater tumor thickness and a more advanced tumor at diagnosis,” the researchers wrote. – by Bruce Thiel

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.