Transplant recipients have a very high relative risk of developing skin cancers approximately 50x that of non-transplanted/non-immunosupressed comparable people. The single greatest risk for skin cancer is UV damage to DNA, acquired through exposure to direct sunlight or artificial tanning machines.
Patients should be questioned about the appearance of new skin lesions at follow up outpatient consultations. New lesions should be examined by an experienced doctor and, if features of concern are present, referral made to Dermatology Outpatient Dept, Lauriston Buildings, Edinburgh with the heading ‘Possible skin malignancy’ at the top of the letter.