Editorial: Cancer Risk in Kidney Transplant Recipients (2020)

This editorial comments on the 2020 systematic review by Eccher et al. on transmission of donor cancer to kidney recipients (NOTIFY record #2187, reference above). In addition to summarizing several findings of that paper, the authors present a discussion of additional factors to consider when considering use of an organ from a donor who presents a risk of malignancy transmission. These include such things as poor quality of life on dialysis, high sensitization status, lack of vascular access. They also comment on the balance between a risk of cancer transmission versus risk of morbidity and mortality from continued dialysis, especially in the older patient population. These are some factors should be considered on an individual basis in addition to the published statistical risk factors for tumor transmission and the authors stress consideration of individual patient factors. They also note an increased standardized mortality ratio for death from cancer 10 years post kidney transplant for younger as opposed to older age groups and suggest particular vigilance for this population. (The editorial also discusses a separate publication in the same issue regarding kidney transplants in recipients with a history of malignancy) (Tessari G, Maggiore U, Zaza G, Momo REN, Nacchia F, Boschiero L et al. Mortality from cancer is not increased in elderly kidney transplant recipients compared to the general population. A competing risk analysis. J Nephrol 2020 Dec;33(6):1309-1319.