De-Novo Genitourinary Neoplasms in Transplant Recipients: The Present and Future

Abstract

The risk of genitourinary cancers following transplantation is increased following majority of solid organ transplants but is best described following renal transplantation. Increasing average age of the transplant recipient as well as increases in post- transplant survival increases the risk of these malignancies. The risk of Kidney cancer is the highest following most solid organ transplants, whereas prostate cancer risk is lower than the general population in multiple large population-based studies. The etiology of increased risk of cancer following transplant is multifactorial with the predominant influence of immunosuppression and direct toxicity of immunosuppressants, however, the significance of end stage disease particularly in the causation of renal cancer in renal transplant recipients is undeniable. Modifications in immunosuppression regimens as well as changes in the standard treatment principles of some cancers may require changes in the management of some post-transplant malignancies. Standard screening guidelines have not been established but screening for renal tumors in renal transplant recipients is the only widely studied entity. Further work is needed to prepare the urologic oncological community with this once rare population group and standardized recommendations need to be established for screening and for the use of new age cancer therapeutics like immunotherapy.