HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS INFECTION AND SUBSEQUENT MELANOMA

Immunosuppression has been known for many years to be associated with the development of skin cancer, particularly squamous cell carcinoma. The association with melanoma is less clear. This report describes 4 p atients with known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positivity who s ubsequently developed malignant melanoma. The subtypes and precursors of the tumors vary. Three of 4 patients treated using accepted surgica l standards remained disease free an average of 33 months postoperativ ely. Treatment of the melanoma as in the non-HIV infected melanoma pat ient is advised. Epidemiological studies remain to be done to determin e the significance of this association. In the meantime, melanoma rema ins a surgical disease and early, aggressive, standard surgical treatm ent is encouraged for these patients, Despite the immunocompromised st ate that their HIV status implies, surgical treatment offers local and regional control of disease and possibly cure.