[Two cases of malignant tumors of the face after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].

INTRODUCTION

Malignant solid tumors are a complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

OBSERVATION: Two patients underwent HSCT for acute leukemia. Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) developed. At 5 years one patient developed squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and the other mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland.

DISCUSSION: Several factors are involved in the development of secondary malignant tumors after HSCT. Pre- and post-graft immunosuppressive treatment inhibits the defence system and cell repair and can trigger chronic GVHD with chronic inflammation of the epithelial tissue leading to accelerated cell turn over and a risk of genetic anomalies favoring penetration of viral particles. Squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity after HSCT presents the same clinical, histological and prognostic features as in the non-grafted patient. These patients require prolonged surveillance. Improved grafting and ant-HPV vaccination techniques may reduce the risk of cancer after HSCT.