[Adenocarcinoma of unknown primary site with thoracic localization and HIV: four case reports].
BACKGROUND
Non AIDS-defining cancer would have increased in HIV-patients as suggested by numerous studies. Four cases of adenocarcinoma of unknown primary site with thoracic localization that occurred in HIV-infected patients are described.


METHODS
To date, there have been no published data about carcinomas of unknown primary site relating to HIV-infected patients; however, immunodepression could promote them. Carcinomas of unknown primary site account for 0.5 to 10% of all cancer in general population. Primary carcinoma is identified in approximately one third of the cases and often corresponds to lung cancer in case of sus-diaphragmatic metastasis, particularly in case of pleural metastasis. Lung cancer in HIV-infected patients affects mostly young men who smoke and are often intravenous drug addicts. Adenocarcinoma is the most common histological type of cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Further studies of lung cancer in HIV-infected patients will help evaluate their frequency. In case of increasing frequency, lung cancer should then be included in AIDS-defining cancers.
Courtot
H
H
Service de médecine interne et des maladies infectieuses, centre hospitalier d'Annecy, France.
Martin
C
C
Charvier
A
A
Bru
J P
JP
Gaillat
J
J
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology