CUTANEOUS NEOPLASMS IN A MILITARY POPULATION OF HIV-1-POSITIVE PATIENTS

Background. In HIV-1-positive patients there have been no prospective studies that show an increase in cutaneous neoplasms. Objective: We ob served HIV-1-positive patients to determine whether or not there was a n increased incidence of cutaneous malignancies. Methods. A total of 7 24 HIV-1-positive patients were examined during a 36-month period for the development of cutaneous malignancies. Results: The most common cu taneous neoplasm found was Kaposi's sarcoma, especially in patients wi th late-stage disease. Basal cell carcinomas were the next most freque nt tumor. We have also seen three malignant melanomas and two squamous cell carcinomas. Five patients had malignant lymphoma. One patient ha d a primary lymphoma of subcutaneous soft tissue; in one patient multi ple cutaneous lesions developed. Conclusion. The distribution and prev alent types of cutaneous neoplasms in HIV-1-positive patients appear t o differ from those found in other immunosuppressed populations. This may be the result of the different patterns and periods of immunosuppr ession in these patients and/or associated cocarcinogens to which thes e patients frequently are exposed.