Malignancy and Immunosuppression

Although it is well established that immunosuppressive drugs may affect tumor growth, a distinction is made between development of de novo tumors in patients on immunosuppressive therapy, the growth of an accidentally transplanted tumor, and the possibility of accelerated growth of a preexisting tumor in a patient who is on immunosuppressive therapy. Seven patients are presented who received a renal transplant for preexisting renal malignancy. These patients' subsequent course showed no evidence of accelerated growth, which is in accord with experimental studies. We believe that patients with preexisting, but apparently cured, malignancies are acceptable candidates for transplantation.