Epidermoid Carcinoma of the Lip After Renal Transplantation

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Abstract
There is evidence that the immunologic system provides a "surveillance" function1by which neoplastic cells are identified and either eliminated or restricted. Tumorspecific antigens identify the cells as foreign. Patients on immunosuppressive therapy might not recognize these antigens and, thus, have a greater risk of neoplasia. This theoretical consideration has support in the study of McKhann,2who found an incidence of malignancy "de novo" in patients who had renal transplants of 13:2000. He compared this with an incidence of 8.2:100,000 in the population at large under the age of 40 years. Several reports of malignancy (lymphomas and carcinomas) in renal homotransplants have been published,2-11and in these instances, it was possible to rule out transplanted neoplasia which has also been described.12-17The following is a description of two instances of carcinoma of the lower lip in renal homotransplant recipients. Patient Summaries Patient 1. —A 27-year-old man