Plasma cell tumors in HIV-positive patients: report of a case and review of the literature.

Plasma cell tumors show an increased incidence in HIV-positive patients. The cases reported in the literature suggest that plasma cell tumors occur in a younger age group than that encountered in the general population. Pathologically, many of these tumors show a plasmablastic morphology. Plasma cell tumors in HIV-positive patients may present at unusual sites and progress rapidly to involve multiple sites, including the soft tissues and viscera. The prognosis is generally poor. These features may be related to a combination of factors, including immunodeficiency, oncogenic viruses, and altered cytokine milieu in these patients. A case of plasma cell tumor in an HIV-positive patient is presented.