Transplant Patient - Multiple Skin Cancers
I had an organ transplant nearly 4 years ago and have had numerous skin cancer outbreaks since then; a total of 32!!! This required ED&C or Mohs. I had about a half dozen in my life before the transplant (pale skin, blue eyes, reddish hair, and freckles), but the use of immunosuppressants have exponentially increased my susceptibility to the cancers and I go to dermatologist every 3 months.
I've been doing a combination of Efudex/ calcipotriene on spots to try and slow it down. I still work so can't do large parts. My dermatologist is going to start me on low-dose acitretin after my transplant doctor sees me in October.
It gets depressing at times, but the transplant saved my life so I really can't complain too much. Other than the skin cancers, I feel fine and can work, ski, golf and get around when I'm not healing from Mohs. Hopefully, I can stay on top of more outbreaks and deal with them as they arise, and just keep on going. Good luck to all!
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