Heart transplant recipients at increased risk for skin cancers

By Kelley Luckstein

Patients who received heart transplants had an elevated risk for developing skin cancers, including squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas, according to a retrospective review of patient medical records conducted at the Mayo Clinic…

“Vigilant sun protection practices, skin cancer education, regular skin examinations and daily vitamin D supplementation are appropriate interventions in these high risk heart transplant patients,” the researchers wrote.

Brewer JD. Arch Dermatol. 2009;145:1391-1396.