Neoplastic diseases in dialysis patients and patients awaiting renal transplantation

Patients with chronic or end stage renal disease display an increased risk for the development of malignant diseases. Tumors of the urogenital tract and in particular renal cell carcinoma are among the most frequently encountered; however, a systematic screening program for early detection of these tumors only seems to benefit patients with a long life expectancy. In particular, the low sensitivity of detection in these screening programs and the per se already extraordinarily high radiation exposure of patients with renal insufficiency are limiting factors. The occurrence of a tumor in patients who need an organ transplantation can result in a substantial delay before transplantation can be performed or even in its contraindication. The main challenge in this situation is to establish the optimal tumor-free interval after which transplantation can be safely recommended.