Patient Education

Solid organ transplant recipients are at a significantly increased risk of developing skin cancer in comparison to the general population. Most transplant recipients will develop a limited number of skin cancers that can be easily treated, but a few recipients will develop hundreds of skin cancers which can become very difficult to treat and even life threatening.

Prevention of skin cancer is vital, beginning at the time of transplantation. Early detection of any skin cancer that might occur sometime after the transplant is also vital for the best care, treatment, and long term outcome. There is no exact determination of which transplant recipients will be severely affected with skin cancer. It is therefore important that all recipients are aware and adopt sun protective behaviors.

Solid organ transplant recipients may experience many non-cancerous changes in their skin. Such common concerns include: loss or gain of hair, acne, fungal infections of the skin and nails, viral infections of the skin such as warts and shingles, and many others. The information in this website is designed to provide transplant recipients with necessary knowledge regarding their special skin concerns, especially that of skin cancer. This is not a forum for diagnosis and treatment. Specific concerns that one might have regarding their skin should be addressed directly with a physician.