Pulmonary neoplastic and lymphoproliferative disease in AIDS

Neoplastic disease (tumors) frequently occur in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The two most commonly found neoplastic diseases are Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), a cancer of the skin and other tissues, and lymphoma, cancer of the lymphatic system. KS often invades the lungs and chest of AIDS patients, and lymphoma may also be found. X-ray diagnosis is often difficult because lung infection will mask these diseases. Lung biopsy is required for a definite diagnosis. KS in the lungs may be localized, but is usually diffuse (widespread), which inhibits diagnosis because it can be confused with lung infections when viewed on an X-ray. There are clues that can help to diagnose it, for example KS is usually found in other parts of the body if it is affecting the lungs, and pleural fluid will often be found, with spitting of blood from the lungs (hemoptysis). Lymphoma is not as commonly found in the lungs of AIDS patients. The lymphomas that are seen are predominately of the high-grade (aggressive) type. Lymphadenopathy (disease and swelling of the lymph nodes) is seen in the thoracic (chest) regions as well as most other regions in the AIDS patient. When found in the thoracic region, it is often indicative of mycobacterial infections. Lymphoid interstitial pneumonia is a rare pneumonia of unknown cause. It is increasingly being found in AIDS patients, and is highly indicative of AIDS when found in children. Other types of lung diseases are increasingly being reported. The indications are that a number of such diseases will increasingly be seen in the future because of AIDS. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)