Excess benign melanocytic naevi in renal transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND

Some studies indicate that malignant melanoma occurs more frequently in renal transplant recipients than in the normal population. The development of excess benign melanocytic naevi is regarded as an indicator of the risk for malignant melanoma.

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of benign melanocytic naevi in adult renal transplant patients.

METHOD: All benign melanocytic naevi irrespective of size were counted in 76 patients with renal transplants and were compared to naevus counts in 55 sex- and age-matched healthy controls.

RESULTS

The mean total number of benign melanocytic naevi was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in renal transplant patients than in the control group: 93.6 +/- 52.2 and 36.1 +/- 29.9, respectively. The most evident increase occurred on the palms/soles and back/buttocks. A positive, although not significant, correlation between naevus counts and duration of immunosuppression was found.

CONCLUSION

Renal transplant recipients have an increased number of benign melanocytic naevi and should be considered as a risk group for malignant melanoma.