Four transplant recipients are under close watch after the donor of their organs was later found to have a cancerous tumour.

The Hospital Authority today said the 46-year-old donor died in Queen Elizabeth Hospital October 26 after several days of intensive therapy for a fall.

Doctors noted the ordinary condition of his liver and both kidneys, and were aware of a 1.4cm diameter lung nodule which was considered benign.

An organ donation appeal was conveyed to the man's relatives after considering the established organ donation checklist and the related risk assessment. Relatives' consent was obtained and hospitals concerned were informed of the available organs for transplant operations.

The transplantations were performed on October 27 at Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth Hospitals. The liver graft was transplanted to a seven-month-old boy and a 59-year-old woman while the kidneys were transplanted to two women renal patients aged 30 and 50.

The transplantations were smooth and the patients are stable. They have been discharged apart from the 59-year-old. All are being monitored.

On November 23 a tissue examination subsequent to the previous post-mortem examination of the donor showed a lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma lung nodule. Risk assessment was immediately conducted and the hospitals were informed.

Arrangements have been made to meet the organ recipients and the donor's relatives for detailed discussion on the risk of the patients getting cancer and follow-up treatment. The authority said the chance of recipients getting cancer due to a transplanted organ is very rare.