AIDS AND NEOPLASIA IN MEXICO

Objective. To describe the epidemiological profile of AIDS and maligna ncies in Mexico. Material and methods. The study population included a group of AIDS patients seen at four National lnstitutes of Health and one at a general hospital in Mexico City, from 1983 to 1992. Demograp hic, clinical and laboratory information was obtained. Results. A tota l of 202 patients were studied; 199 men and three women. The mean age was of 34.5 years (range 18-67 years). Kaposi's sarcoma was the most f requent malignancy, with 166 cases, followed by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma , with 33 cases. The three women had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, one of th em associated with cervical carcinoma. Rectal cancer was present in th ree cases. Discussion. The spectrum of AIDS- associated malignancies i n Mexico is similar to that described in other populations. The early diagnosis of this complication is necessary, as well as the search for therapeutic actions to prevent severe immunosuppression and the conse quent appearance of malignancies.