[Squamous cell carcinoma of the ENT organs in the course of the HIV infection].

UNLABELLED

The link between the occurrence of a SCC in the head and neck and human immunodeficiency virus infection is controversial.

METHODS

A survey of specialists in France was carried out in 1995 to investigate it's incidence since the start of the epidemic.

RESULTS

Twenty one patients (sex ratio 20/1) with concomitant HIV infection and SCC of the head and neck were evaluated. The age distribution ranged from 30 to 63 with a mean of 44 years-old. Twelve patients were under 45 years-old. There was no obvious relationship between any peculiar risk group for HIV infection and occurrence of a SCC. At the time of diagnosis of their carcinoma 10 patients had clinical and/or biological features for AIDS. Alcohol and tobacco consumption were present in twelve patients, moderate in four and absent in five patients. Oropharyngeal carcinoma was frequent in patients without risk factors and immunodepression.

CONCLUSION

The high rate of young adults and patients with no or moderate risk factors for SCC suggests that SCC could be related to HIV infection.