Solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) possess an increased risk of developing skin cancers compared with the general population. They have a 65-fold greater risk for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), 10-fold greater for basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and 3-fold greater for malignant melanoma (MM).

The risk of posttransplant skin cancer grows gradually over time after transplantation; however, a subset of SOTRs may present with earlier-onset skin cancer depending on numerous risk factors, demanding timely evaluation and treatment by a dermatologist. Since thousands of living transplant recipients and transplant procedures are performed annually, it is not feasible for all SOTRs to receive annual skin cancer screening. Risk-based screening believes in the feasibility of access to dermatologic care in a resource-limited setting and helps define which patients require more urgent referral to dermatology.

Kojder PL, Jambusaria-Pahlajani A. Skin and UV Neoplasia Transplant Risk Assessment Calculator (SUNTRAC)—Keeping Solid Organ Transplant Recipients on Track for Skin Cancer Screening. JAMA Dermatol. 2023;159(1):17-18. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.3498