Case report: Bronchial carcinoma transmitted by kidney transplant (1981)

In the donor (moderately heavy cigarette smoker for many years), the tumor was clinically silent. Necropsy revealed an 1.5cm nodule in the periphery of the upper right lung lobe which first was considered to be a healed tuberculous focus. Histology showed an anaplastic bronchial carcinoma of mixed fusiform and pleomorphic cell type, bizarre giant nuclei and considerable mitotic activity. Kidney recipient 1 showed deteriorating renal function due to extensive obstruction of the donor ureter at 13 months after transplant. Biopsy showed abnormal pleomorphic cells suggestive of neoplasia. 2 months later, she passed away and necropsy showed 2 tumors in the graft as well as adrenal glands with anaplastic tumor of fusiform and pleomorphic cells, nuclear atypism and mitotic activity. Kidney recipient 2 was diagnosed with chronic graft rejection. The kidney was removed 18 months after transplant and showed numerous tumor masses composed of undifferentiated pleomorphic cells and also fusiform polygonal cells with bizarre nuclei. He had additional rib and lung metastases. After cessation of immunosuppression, the lung lesion regressed but his health deteriorated and he died 20 months after transplant. Necropsy showed a large tumor mass at the site of the removed graft as well as liver, peritoneal and rib metastases. No evidence of the previous lung lesion