A study published in the January 1999, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found skin cancer is prevalent in heart transplant patients. Researchers from the Cardiopulmonary Transplant Unit of St. Vincent’s Hospital and the Skin and Cancer Foundation in Australia looked at skin cancers in 455 patients who had transplants in Sydney, Australia. Overall, the incidence of skin cancer in this group was 31 percent after five years and 43 percent after 10 years. Skin cancer accounted for 27 percent of all deaths in heart transplant patients four years after surgery.

Squamous cell carcinoma was three times more common than basal cell carcinoma among the transplant patients. The study found Caucasian patients who were older at the time of their transplant were more at risk of skin cancer.

The researchers said their findings reinforced the need for regular skin examinations and early treatment. In addition, they called for more patient education about the need for sun protection and regular skin self-examination.

Another study, also conducted in Sydney, examined patients who had cardiothoracic transplants (CTT; heart, lung, or heart and lung transplants). Between 1984 and 1995, 619 CTTs were performed. Two years after surgery, 66 of the CTT patients developed skin cancer, and 27 of the 66 were diagnosed with aggressive malignancies, which were more serious and even deadly.

"As length of follow-up increases, it is likely the incidence of cancer will increase over time," said Michael J. Veness, MB, BS, Department of Radiation Oncology, Westmead Hospital, and lead author of the study.

The scientists called for more research into methods used to treat transplant patients who develop skin cancer, as well as study of specific biologic causes. Their study was published April 15, 1999, in the American Cancer Society (ACS) journal Cancer.

Dr. Veness is hopeful survival rates will increase as health care professionals learn more about the causes and potential treatments of skin cancer.