Anatomical site predilections of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in human immunodeficiency virus infection: a report on 54 cases.
OBJECTIVE
To identify and describe the primary anatomic sites of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma arising in the setting of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection.


METHODS
Prospective (ongoing) study.


METHODS
Kenyatta National Hospital a referral and teaching hospital in Kenya.


METHODS
Patients (n=54) with human immunodeficiency virus with associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma managed at the Kenyatta National hospital from January 2001 to December 2003. Relevant clinical information obtained by medical history, physical examination and investigations.


RESULTS
Of the 54 patients studied 29(54%) were males and 25(46%) females with median age 36 and range 20 to 61 years. Fifty (93%) had high grade and four (7%) intermediate grade lymphoma, the former had 15 (30%) Burkitt's and the rest large cell lymphoma. The stages at diagnosis were IV 35(65%), III 14(26%) and II 5(9%) and all had B symptoms. The primary sites at presentation to the hospital were peripheral nodes 16(30%), abdominal 15(28%), pectoral/chest wall 11(20%), central nervous system eight (15%) and systemic/generalised, four (7%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that there were preferred anatomical sites of involvement by HIV associated non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and the finding of pectoral/ chest involvement in this series may not be coincidental. Further, this study suggests that anatomical sites predilection may be due to the tendency of viral associated malignancies to home to specific anatomic sites and also due to the anatomy of the lymphoreticular system. Studying virus pathogenesis in malignancies should consider also the anatomic sites involved.
Mwanda
O W
OW
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Whalen
C
C
Scot
C R
CR
Lederman
M
M
Orem
J
J
Banura
C
C
D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D016483:Lymphoma, AIDS-Related / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology