Are there skin changes associated with renal transplants?

Skin signs of chronic renal failure may resolve following successful renal transplantation (in contrast to hemodialysis). Cutaneous infections (viral, bacterial, atypical mycobacterial, and fungal) may develop, secondary to immunosuppressive therapy given following transplantation. After years of immunosuppression, benign (verrucae, premalignant keratoses, porokeratosis) and malignant cutaneous tumors (squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma) may develop. Sometimes numerous tumors may arise simultaneously or at increasingly alarming rates, often demonstrating aggressive histology and a propensity to metastasize. Lowering immunosuppressive therapy, aggressive treatment of skin tumors, and potentially adding a systemic retinoid such as acitretin may help control this serious problem.