Fitzpatrick skin phototype is an independent predictor of squamous cell carcinoma risk after solid organ transplantation

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2013-04, Vol.68 (4), p.585-591
• Main Authors: Gogia, Ravinder, MD, Binstock, Maxwell, BS, Hirose, Ryutaro, MD, Boscardin, W. John, PhD, Chren, Mary-Margaret, MD, Arron, Sarah T., MD, PhD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - epidemiology; Dermatology; Female; Fitzpatrick skin type; Humans; immunosuppression; Male; Middle Aged; organ transplant recipient; Organ Transplantation; phototype; Postoperative Complications - epidemiology; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Skin Neoplasms - epidemiology; solid organ transplantation; squamous cell carcinoma
• ISSN: 0190-9622; 1097-6787
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2012.09.030

Background Solid organ transplant recipients (OTR) are at an increased risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin after transplantation. In predominantly white cohorts, Fitzpatrick skin type (FST) has been reported to be a risk factor for developing posttransplantation skin cancers. Objective Our goal was to determine if FST is a statistically significant risk factor for the development of SCC after solid organ transplantation in a diverse US population of OTR. Methods A cohort of OTR completed a questionnaire of demographic factors, transplant type, FST, and skin cancer history. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the risk factors for development of SCC after transplantation. Results As expected, male subjects had an increased risk for SCC compared with female subjects ( P  = .02), and those aged 50 years and older at the time of transplantation were more likely to develop SCC compared with those younger than 50 years ( P