[Cancer and kidney transplantation].

The higher risk of developing malignant tumours in transplanted patients is a fact widely acknowledged over the last decade. This paper includes an analysis of our series and a review of the literature. Cancers developed by the transplanted patient or "de novo" cancers and, within this group skin and lip cancer (58%), are by far the most frequent ones. Their biological behaviour is, in general, more aggressive than similar ones in non-transplanted population. Also, different incidence rates and behaviour have been established depending on the immunosuppressive regime given to the patient. Most common pre-existing carcinoma was renal cancer (one third of cases). When these patients had been adequately treated before the transplant, the minimum disease-free interval that has to elapse to be included in a waiting list will depend on the type of tumour. Transferred tumours are the least frequent but more worrying ones due to both their clinical and legal implications. In view of the existing evidence, it is of particular relevance to insure the primitive nature of any CNS tumour as well as the absence of tumoral disease in young females who die of brain haemorrhage.