effects of smoking cigarettes

[snapperqueen]

Dear Doctor,

I would like to know what are the possible effects of smoking cigarettes when you are immunosuppress post liver transplant.  I quit many times and back again.

thanks

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

there is no direct interaction with the immunosuppressive medications.  however, the medications place patients at somewhat higher risks for developing cancers as does smoking, especially cancers of the lung, throat and oral cavity.