All 26 immunosuppressed renal transplant females attending the Renal Unit at the Western Infirmary, Glasgow were screened by cervical cytology and colposcopy for evidence of cervical neoplasia. Five patients (19.2%) were discovered to have cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, confirming the expected increase in this ‘at risk’ group. Regular cervical screening in these immunosuppressed women is recommended strongly.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Di SaiaPJ. Overview of tumour immunology in gynecologic oncology. Cancer1976; 38: 566–580.
2.
Leading Article. Immunological deficiency and the risk of cancer. Br Med J1977; 2: 654.
3.
PennI. Occurrence of cancer in immune deficiencies. Cancer1974; 34: 858–7866.
4.
KaySFrabbleWJHumeDM. Cervical dysplasia and cancer developing in women on immunosuppression therapy for renal homotransplantation. Cancer1970; 26: 1048–1052.
5.
CopplesonM. Tissue basis of colposcopic appearances. In CopplesonMPixleyEReidB, eds. Colposcopy. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas1978: 120–164.
6.
PennIStarzlTE. Malignant tumours arising de novo in immunosuppressed organ transplant recipients. Transplantation1972; 14 No 4: 407–417.
7.
DonohueLR. Colposcopic and cytologic evaluation for women undergoing immunosuppressive therapy. J Reprod Med1974; 12: 194–196.
8.
PorrecoRPennIDroegemuellerWGreerBMakowskiE. Gynecologic malignancies in, immunosuppressed organ homograft recipients. Obstet Gynecol1975; 45: 359–364.
9.
LeckieGBCottonRE. Simultaneous in situ carcinoma of the cervix, vulva and perineum after immunosuppressive therapy for renal transplantation. Br J Obstet Gynaecol.1977; 84: 143–148.
10.
BoyceDAWorthAJ. Cervical screening for cervical carcinoma. In JordanJASingerA, eds. The Cervix. London: W. B. Saunders Co. 1976: 404–411.
11.
StarzlTEPennIPutnamCWGrothCGHalgrimsonCG. Iatrogenic alterations in man and their influence on malignancy. Transplant Rev1971; 7: 112–145.
12.
RawlsWETomkinsWAFFigueroaMEMelnickJL. Herpes virus type 2: association with carcinoma of the cervix. Science1978; 161: 1255–1257.
13.
FrenkelNRoizmanBCassaiENahmaisAA. D.N.A. fragments of herpes simplex 2 and its transcription in human cervical cancer tissue. Proc Natl Acad Sci1972; 69: 3784–3789.
14.
McDougallJKGallowayDAFenoglioCM. Cervical carcinoma: detection of herpes simplex virus R.N.A. in cells undergoing neoplastic change. Int J Cancer1980; 25: 1–8.
15.
WilkieNMEglinRPSandersPGClementsJB. The association of herpes simplex virus with squamous carcinoma of the cervix, and studies of the virus thymidine kinase gene; in interactions between virus and host molecules, Royal Society Discussion Meeting. London: Academic Press1980 (in press).
