Skin surveillance in paediatric transplant patients. Ver 3, 16/4/14
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Skin surveillance in paediatric transplant patients. Are they at increased risk of skin cancer? A prospective longitudinal follow up study
IRAS ID
154643
Contact name
Seow Hoong Foo
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospital Trust
Research summary
Title: Skin surveillance in paediatric transplant patients. Are they at increased risk of skin cancer? A prospective longitudinal follow up study.
Solid organ transplant recipients are at increased risk of skin cancer. Melanoma is less common than non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) although the relative proportion of melanoma among skin cancers has been shown to be higher in paediatric than adult recipients. Skin cancer was not observed in 98 paediatric solid organ transplant recipients who were 5- 16 years post-transplant in the original study conducted by MA Thomson et al in 2004.
This study proposal is a longitudinal follow-up study to determine the onset of skin cancer post-transplantation and the significance of benign and atypical naevus counts in this cohort. We hypothesise that there is a difference in the incidence of skin cancer and its precursors in children post transplantation compared to the general population at 10 years post initial screening.
98 paediatric organ recipients who were involved in the original study will be invited via post to participate in this longitudinal study. Patients are invited to make one clinic attendance at a weekly, dedicated transplant skin surveillance clinic.
Involvement in the study entails a questionnaire, history and skin examination after obtaining informed consent from the patient (or parent if patient is < 16 y.o). The findings from the history and examination will be documented on a data collection sheet. If a biopsy is required for diagnosis of suspicious lesion, an explanation will be given in the clinic, along with information about the procedure and the risks involved. The biopsy will be arranged on the day of the consult or on a different day if the parent and child agrees. The patient, parent and the patient’s general practitioner will be informed of the result and advised on management.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EM/0220
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion