Prevalence of Colorectal Neoplasia in Kidney Transplant Recipients Is High

Kidney transplant recipients require long-term immunosuppressive treatment, which is associated with risk for developing malignancies. Australian investigators determined the prevalence of advanced colorectal neoplasia and the diagnostic accuracy of fecal immunochemical hemoglobin testing compared with colonoscopy in 229 kidney transplant recipients (age, ≥50) at ≥6 months posttransplant (mean, 9 years).

All participants underwent fecal hemoglobin tests and, regardless of results, were referred for colonoscopy. Advanced colorectal neoplasia (adenoma ≥10 mm diameter, villous features, high-grade dysplasia, or colorectal cancer) was found in 13% of transplant recipients; 19% had nonadvanced adenomas. Fecal hemoglobin testing was positive in 12…