Prospective study of switch from cyclosporine to tacrolimus for fibroadenomas of the breast in kidney transplantation.

INTRODUCTION

Breast fibroadenomas may result from exposure to cyclosporine (CsA). The aim of this prospective study was to assess the reversibility of breast fibroadenomas following conversion from CsA to tacrolimus among a small cohort of female renal transplant recipients.

METHODS

Following renal transplantation, fibroadenomas either developed or progressed in eight Caucasian female patients with CsA-based immunosuppression. These patients were enrolled in a pilot study assessing whether conversion from a CsA-based to a tacrolimus-based regimen prevented progression of breast disease or reversed existing lumps. Patients underwent a baseline visit in which we assessed the clinical history, number and dimension of fibroadenomas, graft function and hormonal profile (FSH prolactin, estradiol and progesterone). Twenty-one lumps were described in six patients; in addition, two patients had "grapes of fibroadenomas," of nondefinable numbers.

RESULTS

Patients underwent conversion to tacrolimus after a mean of 63.8 +/- 37.4 months after renal transplantation. Of the 21 clearly described lumps complete reversibility was observed for eight fibroadenomas. Other fibroadenomas either decreased in size or remained stable without further progression. These changes were reported within 1 year following conversion to tacrolimus.

CONCLUSION

A switch from CsA to tacrolimus was effective to prevent the progression of fibroadenomas. In female renal transplant recipients with CsA-based immunosuppression suffering from breast fibroadenomas, early CsA withdrawal may avoid the need for breast surgery.