Lymphoproliferative disorders in non-AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma. The Johannesburg Hospital experience, 1980-1992.

The association of the non-AIDS-related, classic form of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) with secondary malignancies, especially lymphoproliferative disorders, has frequently been noted. However, in endemic African-type KS, such an association has been reported only rarely. A review of 62 non-AIDS-related cases of KS treated and followed up at Johannesburg General Hospital between 1980 and 1992 revealed 8 patients (13%) in whom KS was associated with malignant lymphoproliferative disorders. The prevalence of secondary lymphoproliferative disorders was not significantly different among patients with classic KS (3/15; 20%) when compared with those who had African KS (4/47; 8%). In both forms of KS subtle disturbances of immunity have been described which may play a role in the pathogenesis of secondary lymphoproliferative disorders, although the factors responsible and the pathogenetic mechanisms involved in malignant lymphoid transformation in these patients have not been fully elucidated.