title: Squamous carcinoma of the anus in young homosexual men with T helper cell depletion.
abstract: Two cases of squamous carcinoma of the anus in white homosexual men aged 36 and 47 years are reported, each with a short history of rapidly enlarging perianal lesions. Immunological studies showed that both men had pronounced T helper lymphocyte depletion, and antibody to human T cell lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III) was detected in both patients. In addition one patient had a long history of wart virus infection of the anal canal. The diminished cellular immunity associated with HTLV-III may have been responsible for the development of the squamous carcinoma, either directly or by its association with human papilloma virus infection.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001005:Anus Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015483:HIV Antibodies