LYMPHOPROLIFERATIVE DISORDERS IN NON-AIDS-ASSOCIATED KAPOSIS-SARCOMA - THE JOHANNESBURG-HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE, 1980-1992

The association of the non-AIDS-related, classic form of Kaposi's sarc oma (KS) with secondary malignancies, especially lymphoproliferative d isorders, has frequently been noted. However, in endemic African-type KS, such an association has been reported only rarely. A review of 62 non-AIDS-related cases of KS treated and followed up at Johannesburg G eneral Hospital between 1980 and 1992 revealed 8 patients (13%) in who m KS was associated with malignant lymphoproliferative disorders. The prevalence of secondary lymphoproliferative disorders was not signific antly different among patients with classic KS (3/15; 20%) when compar ed with those who had African KS (4/47; 8%). In both forms of KS subtl e disturbances of immunity have been described which may play a role i n the pathogenesis of secondary lymphoproliferative disorders, althoug h the factors responsible and the pathogenetic mechanisms involved in malignant lymphoid transformation in these patients have not been full y elucidated.