15.3.4 GRAFT REMOVAL AND CESSATION OF IMMUNOSUPPRESSION

Overall mortality in transplant recipients with transmitted cancer is approximately 50% in published series. The variety of tumour types and the immunosuppressed condition of the transplant recipient require that any attempt at therapy balance specific tumour killing against the possibilities of opportunistic infection and/or loss of life-sustaining allograft. Oncologic consultation, preferably with an oncologist experienced in the care of this patient population, is encouraged to formulate a comprehensive treatment plan that takes all of these considerations into account.