Why transplant recipients have a higher chance of cancer
Transplant recipients have a higher chance of cancer because of the immunosuppressant drugs they take. Immunosuppressant drugs lower (or suppress) part of your immune system, which are the cells, tissues, and organs that help your body fight infection and destroy cancer cells. When the immune system is suppressed, cancer can grow more easily.
But please note, by finding and treating cancer early, most cancers today have excellent treatment results!
Why do transplant recipients need immunosuppressants?
When someone gets an organ transplant, their immune system may try to protect their body by attacking the new organ as a foreign object (called transplant rejection). This is because our immune system fights infection and illness, but may sometimes attack cells they see as “foreign.”
Transplant recipients take immunosuppressants to stop their body from attacking or rejecting their new organ. This helps keep their new organ healthy.
How do immunosuppressants raise the chance of cancer?
Immunosuppressants lower your immune system so it doesn’t reject your new organ. And a lowered immune system is less likely to:
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Find and destroy cancer cells
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Fight off infections that can cause cancer
Some recipients may have an even higher chance of cancer if:
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They take a high dose (amount) of immunosuppressants
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They take immunosuppressants for a long time
What cancers are transplant recipients especially at risk for?
Transplant recipients have an overall higher chance of cancer in general. But there are some cancers they are especially at risk for:
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Skin cancer
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Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD)
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Virus-linked cancers
Skin cancer
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in transplant recipients. They are most likely to get these 2 non-melanoma types of skin cancer:
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Basal cell carcinoma – Transplant recipients are 10 times more likely to get this cancer.
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Squamous cell carcinoma – Transplant recipients are 65 times more likely to get this cancer.
Learn more about skin cancer:
Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD)
Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is the name for types of blood cancers in transplant recipients.
PTLD is the most common virus-associated cancer for transplant recipients. PTLD often happens in people who have the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). However, PTLD is not always related to EBV, and it is not clear what causes these cases.
Different organ transplants have different rates of PTLD. But, anywhere from 1% to 20% (1 to 20 in 100) of transplant recipients get PTLD.
Learn more about PTLD:
Virus-linked cancers
Transplant recipients may be more likely to develop cancers that are linked to viruses due to immunosuppressants. This is because these drugs make the immune system less likely to fight off viruses, and some viruses can lead to certain cancers.
Some viruses can lead to certain cancers, such as:
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Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can cause PTLD
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Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can cause liver cancer
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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can cause liver cancer
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Human papilloma virus (HPV) can cause:
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Anal cancer
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Cervical cancer – almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV
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Oral (mouth and throat) cancer
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Penile cancer
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Vaginal cancer
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Vulvar cancer
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HHV-8 (a type of Herpes virus) can cause Kaposi sarcoma. This is a rare type of cancer that causes cancerous spots on your skin and in the tissue that lines your digestive system.
Learn more about viruses that can lead to cancer:
Supporting your mental health
Learning that you have a higher chance of cancer can be worrisome. But remember, finding and treating cancer early can lead to excellent treatment results!
As you’re getting used to your “new normal,” you may feel happy and relieved, but also anxious or worried. There are medicines and doctors’ visits to manage, and a lot of ways you need to stay healthy.
Your transplant center requires everyone to have at least 1 adult as their main support during the transplant process. This is because recovery takes time and everyone needs
support! Lean on this person and surround yourself with a supportive social circle to help cope with stress.
If you ever need more emotional support, find a professional to help you process your feelings and help you cope. Ask your transplant team to recommend counselors, support groups, and other mental health and wellness resources that can help you.
Read about post-transplant cancer success stories here: