Lymphoproliferative disease after renal transplantation in Australia and New Zealand

Lymphoproliferative disease is a common and serious complication of organ transplantation. It is well documented that the risk of its development increases with the level of immunosuppression. Less is known about its incidence, prevalence, timing, and prognosis. The authors conducted a retrospective review of all patients with lymphoproliferative disease after renal transplantation documented in the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry from 1970 to March 2003. One hundred ninety-seven cases of lymphoproliferative disease occurred in 15,930 allografts in 13,516 recipients. There has been a steady increase in its incidence and prevalence each decade since 1970. Cases cluster into an early group (