Pneumonectomy for Lung Cancer in Heart Transplant Recipient

Prolonged nonspecific immunosuppression after solid-organ transplantation is associated with an increased risk of certain cancers [1]. Review of the medical literature reveals that the combination of profound immunossuppression (triple-drug immunosuppression), a heavy smoking history, advanced age and a working exposition puts cardiac transplant recipients at increased risk for the development of aggressive Iung cancer [2]. These tumors in cardiac transplant recipients carry a poor prognosis. We present one case of bronchogenic carcinoma in a cardiac transplant patient. The patient was operated to resect the tumor and a long-term cure and a good quality of life should, however, be offered.

Key words:

Cardiac Transplant - Lung Cancer - Pneumonectomy

References

• 1 Pham S M. et al . Solid Tumors after Heart Transplantation: Lethality for Lung Cancer.  Ann Thorac Surg. 1995;  60 1623-1626
• 2 Johanson W M. et al . Double Jeopardy: Lung Cancer After Cardiac Transplantation.  Chest. 1998;  113 1720-1723
• 3 Penn I. Incidence and treatment of neoplasia after transplantation.  J Heart Lung Transplant. 1993;  12 328-336
• 4 Flemming R H, Jennison S H, Naunheim K S. Primary Bronchogenic Carcinoma in the Heart Transplant Recipient.  Ann Thorac Surg. 1994;  57 1300-1301

Received for Publication: July 13, 2000