Immunosuppression after the diagnosis of renal allograft renal cell carcinoma in two transplant recipients: Case reports and review of the literature

Abstract

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common solid malignancy among renal transplant recipients. While it commonly involves the native kidneys, renal allograft RCC is increasingly being reported in renal transplant recipients. Most often, renal allograft RCCs are locally confined and nephron-sparing interventions are successful treatments. Immunosuppression is typically reduced in transplant recipients who develop malignancies; however, there is no consensus on the same for transplant recipients with a diagnosis of RCC. We report two cases of renal allograft RCC who were successfully managed with ablative therapy and reduction of immunosuppression. However, both the patients developed irreversible graft dysfunction and are wait-listed in the deceased donor program for the second transplant. We highlight the deficiency of evidence and the need for further studies on the aspect of immunosuppression modification after the diagnosis of RCC in transplant recipients.

Keywords

• ablative therapy
• allograft
• immunosuppression
• renal cell carcinoma
• renal transplant