Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder two years after successful lung transplantation: case report and review of the literature

The risk of developing a malignancy as a complication of solid organ transplantation and chronic immunosuppression has been reported. We report on the first lung transplant recipient to develop transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and carcinoid of the small intestine after transplantation. The patient eventually required radical cystectomy with ileal conduit diversion because of the aggressive nature of the tumor. The surgical and infectious complications are discussed and the published data reviewed. We conclude that chronic immunosuppression may have contributed to the development of bladder carcinoma in this patient and that similar cases should be aggressively treated.