Author:

Keywords:

Epstein Barr virus, Liver transplantation, Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders, Science & Technology, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS, SOLID-ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION, HEPATITIS-C VIRUS, B-CELL LYMPHOMA, BASILIXIMAB INDUCTION, RISK-FACTORS, RECIPIENTS, IMMUNOSUPPRESSION, RITUXIMAB, DISEASE, Epstein-Barr Virus Infections, Humans, Immunocompromised Host, Immunosuppressive Agents, Incidence, Liver Transplantation, Lymphoproliferative Disorders, Opportunistic Infections, Predictive Value of Tests, Risk Assessment, Risk Factors, Treatment Outcome, 1103 Clinical Sciences, 3202 Clinical sciences

Abstract:

Liver transplantation has emerged as a life-saving treatment for several patients with acute liver failure, end stage liver disease and primary hepatic malignancies. However, long term immunosuppressive therapy aiming to reduce the risk of transplant rejection increases the incidence of several complications including malignancies. This is illustrated by the observation of a high ratio between observed and expected cases of lymphoproliferative disorders following liver transplantation. Despite a huge heterogeneity in morphological appearance of these disorders ranging from reactive-like lesions to real lymphomas, they are collectively termed posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorders. In this review we will provide an overview of this rare but challenging disorder as a complication of liver transplantation.