Nimri, Lana Al

INTRODUCTION: Immunocompromised liver transplant (LT) recipients are at increased risk of de novo malignancy. Data regarding oral and oropharyngeal malignancy following liver transplantation is limited, and recommendations for oral cancer screening are lacking. The impact of these malignancies on patient survival in the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database has not been assessed. We aim to evaluate the rates of oral and oropharyngeal malignancy among LT recipients in the US and estimate patient survival. METHODS: We examined the UNOS database and identified patients with oral and oropharyngeal malignancy who underwent LT between 1988 and 2016. Patients greater than 18 years of age were included. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank tests were performed. RESULTS: In the UNOS database, survival data regarding 142,488 patients was available and the cause of death was identified in 14,533 LT recipients.83 patients had oral and oropharyngeal malignancy. 23 patients had cancer of the tongue and floor of the mouth. Mean age 55 years (SD ± 8), mean BMI 26 (SD ± 4), males were 74%, white 83%. 49 patients had tonsillar and oropharyngeal cancer. Mean age 54 years (SD ± 7), mean BMI 25 (SD ± 4), males were 86%, white 80%. 11 patients had oral and palate cancer. Mean age 56 years (SD ± 6), mean BMI 26 (SD ± 5), males were 55%, white 100%. Compared to all LT indications, those who developed oral and oropharyngeal malignancy were more likely to have alcoholic liver disease ( P < 0.001). The mean patient survival time in the study population ranged between 5 and 7.5 years. However, patient survival was significantly lower among patients who developed oral and oropharyngeal malignancy compared to other LT recipients (Log-rank test, P < 0.001) (Figure 1). CONCLUSION: Analysis of the UNOS database showed that oral and oropharyngeal malignancy is more common among male recipients with a history of alcoholic liver disease. Better outcomes should be expected if such patients were diagnosed earlier, prolonging their life expectancy. Having a history of heavy alcohol use should raise awareness among dentists, gastroenterologists and transplant physicians regarding the increased risk of oral cancers after LT.