title: Primary nodal neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) tumor in a patient with HIV infection.
abstract: Lymphadenopathy in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be of diverse etiology, ranging from infection to cancer. A neoplasm of epithelial origin manifested as inguinal lymphadenopathy without a primary lesion is rare. We report a case of Merkel cell tumor confined only to a lymph node in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). We believe this is the first report of primary nodal Merkel cell tumor in a patient with HIV. Because Merkel cell tumor is a rare skin neoplasm with features suggestive of high malignant potential, it is important to distinguish a primary nodal Merkel cell tumor from malignant metastatic processes on the one hand and relatively benign causes of adenopathy on the other.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Long Island College Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Samarendra
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Berkowitz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumari
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alexis
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D001365:Axilla; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D002864:Chromogranins / Q000032:analysis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007264:Inguinal Canal; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000032:analysis; D016708:Synaptophysin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D002864:Chromogranins; D016708:Synaptophysin; D007633:Keratins; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase