THE RISK OF BREAST DISEASE IN RENAL TRANSPLANT PATIENTS RECEIVING CYCLOSPORIN A

The risk of breast lesion development in patients under immunosupressive therapy is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of breast disease in female renal transplant recipients

Twenty-two female renal transplant recipients with a functioning graft are included in the study. Physical examination, breast ultrasound and mammography in patients over 35 years were done. The levels of serum measured, progesteron and prolactin were estimated. In all of the patients, triple immunosupressive therapy consisted of cyclosporin (CsA), steroids and mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine was given, ATG was used for induction in cadaveric renal transplantation.

The mean age of the patients was 30,8+11,4 years (range: 15-60). Mean follow-up time was 66,8+49,5 months (range: 12-199). In six patients (27,3%) benign breast lesions were found. Prolactin level was high in six patients. There was no correlation between hormon levels and breast lesions. Carcinoma was not found in any patient.

The incidence of benign or malignant breast disease in our patients was found to be lower when compared with normal population. The number of patients was not enough to make any significant comparison between hormon levels and CsA and the breast lesions. Larger series of patients need to demostrate the effect of CsA therapy over breast diseases.