Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (PLTD)
Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PLTD) is a complication that occurs in about 6 to 10% of kidney transplant patients. PLTD is usually associated with a viral infection (EBV) after transplant. On rare occasions it occurs without a viral cause.
The virus can make a person's lymp glands larger. A normal immune system would get rid of these cells, and they would not cause cancer, but in transplant patients, the immunosuppressants prevent the immune system form clearing them. Over time, there is a risk that the enlarged lymph glands turn into lymphoma (a malignant tumor or cancer).
PLTD can cause flu-like symptoms, pneumonia, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. Many non-PLTD illness cause similar symptoms. If your child develops these symptoms, the transplant team will usually monitor them and decide if more tests are needed to check for PLTD.
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