Liver transplant recipients have an increased risk of malignancy. Smoking is
related to some of the most frequent causes of posttransplant malignancy. The
incidence and risk factors for the development of neoplasia related to smoking
(head and neck, lung, esophageal, and kidney and urinary tract carcinomas) were
studied in 339 liver transplant recipients. Risk factors for the development of
smoking-related neoplasia were also studied in 135 patients who had a history of
smoking so that it could be determined whether smoking withdrawal was associated
with a lower risk of malignancy. After a mean follow-up of 7.5 years, 26 patients
were diagnosed with 29 smoking-related malignancies. The 5- and 10-year actuarial
rates were 5% and 13%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, smoking and older
age were independently associated with a higher risk of malignancy. In the smoker
subgroup, the variables related to a higher risk of malignancy were active
smoking and older age. In conclusion, smoking withdrawal after liver
transplantation may have a protective effect against the development of
neoplasia