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Donor-Transmitted Malignancy in a Liver Transplant Recipient: A Case Report and Review of Literature

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Abstract

Donor-transmitted malignancy is a rare complication of organ transplantation. This case illustrates a donor-transmitted adenocarcinoma in a patient 11 months after an orthotopic liver transplant for cryptogenic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Diagnosis of donor-transmitted malignancy may be challenging and can be confused with HCC recurrence. A timely diagnosis is crucial as a delay may limit treatment options. Biopsy of newly found liver lesions and the use of karyotypic and microsatellite analysis may be essential for diagnosis. Protocols should be in place to help recognize and limit the incidence of donor-transmitted malignancy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Section of Transplant Hepatology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Blalock 459, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Brian Kim, Tinsay Woreta, Po-Hung Chen & Berkeley Limketkai

  2. Section of Liver Transplant Surgery, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 771, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Andrew Singer, Nabil Dagher & Andrew Cameron

  3. Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Park SB 202, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Ming-Tseh Lin

  4. Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 600 N. Wolfe Street, MRI 143, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Ihab Kamel

  5. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Section of Transplant Hepatology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 1830 E. Monument, Room 429, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Ahmet Gurakar

Authors
  1. Brian Kim
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  2. Tinsay Woreta
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  3. Po-Hung Chen
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  4. Berkeley Limketkai
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  5. Andrew Singer
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  6. Nabil Dagher
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  7. Andrew Cameron
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  8. Ming-Tseh Lin
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  9. Ihab Kamel
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  10. Ahmet Gurakar
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brian Kim.

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Kim, B., Woreta, T., Chen, PH. et al. Donor-Transmitted Malignancy in a Liver Transplant Recipient: A Case Report and Review of Literature. Dig Dis Sci 58, 1185–1190 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-012-2501-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-012-2501-0

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