Acitretin in Preventing Skin Cancers in Patients With Previously Treated Skin Cancers Who Have Undergone Organ Transplantation

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Solid organ recipient (kidney, liver, heart, lung, or pancreas) receiving immunosuppressive agents (e.g., prednisone, other corticosteroid, azathioprine, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil)
• At least 6 months since transplant
• At least 2 prior (same event or separate events) basal cell carcinomas (BCC) or squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) resected
• * All visible BCC and SCC resected
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 and over
• Life expectancy:
• Greater than 2 years
• Hematopoietic:
• WBC at least 3400/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
• Hemoglobin at least 10.0 g/dL
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 3 times ULN
• SGOT no greater than 3 times ULN
• Renal:
• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN
• Other:
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use two effective forms of birth control for at least 1 month before, during, and at least 3 years after study
• No history of oral retinoid intolerance
• No significant, uncontrolled hyperlipidemia
• No other significant medical condition or threatened allograft rejection state where retinoid use would be contraindicated
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Other:
• At least 1 year since prior retinoids
• No concurrent oral vitamin A supplements, topical retinoids, or other potentially irritating skin preparations
• No alcohol during and for 2 months after study