Primary nodal neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) tumor in a patient with HIV infection

Lymphadenopathy in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be of diverse etiology, ranging from infection to cancer, A neoplasm of epithelial origi n manifested as inguinal lymphadenopathy without a primary lesion is rare. We report a case of Merkel cell tumor confined only to a lymph node in a pa tient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), We believe this i s the first report of primary nodal Merkel cell tumor in a patient with HIV . Because Merkel cell tumor is a rare skin neoplasm Frith features suggesti ve of high malignant potential, it is important to distinguish a primary no dal Merkel cell tumor from malignant metastatic processes on the one hand a nd relatively benign causes of adenopathy on the other.