A case of malignant melanoma in AIDS-related complex.

To the Editor.— Several malignant diseases have been observed in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and its clinical precursors. Most of the tumors reported were Kaposi's sarcoma, and a smaller number of tumors reported were lymphomas. Carcinomas have also been reported. These observations support the possible role of T cells in the control of malignant cell development.1 The following case report deals with a malignant melanoma that developed in a patient with AIDS-related complex. Report of a Case.— A 35-year-old man was a drug abuser (morphine and, later, heroin) from the ages of 18 to 25 years and had suffered a relapse three years ago. In 1970, hepatitis B developed; in December 1985, anti-human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III antibodies were detected for the first time. Serum electrophoresis and T-cell count were normal, but the ratio of T helper cells to T suppressor cells was low (0.64).

[1]  P. Biron,et al.  Vincristine infusion with advanced, relapsed tumors. , 1985, Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

[2]  Daul Cb,et al.  Acquired immune deficiency syndrome: an update and interpretation. , 1983 .