Trends and survival in AIDS-associated malignancies.

Data from 1569 AIDS cases reported to the population-based AIDS Registry of Catalonia have been analysed to describe the epidemiology and temporal evolution of both Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Of the 1569 cases reported, 53 (3.4%) presented with NHL and 135 (8.6%) with KS. KS cases were more frequent among homosexual/bisexual men and the age of KS cases was significantly higher than all others presenting diseases (38.22 years). NHL cases were more frequently among men but no significant age difference was found. The percentage of KS over time decreased significantly only among intravenous drug users. Cases presenting with a NHL had by far the worst prognosis (median survival time = 169 days). Biases affecting the measurement of AIDS associated malignancies (AAM) using surveillance data are analysed. The prevalence of AAM will increase during the next few years, and NHL may be one of the leading causes of death among AIDS patients in the near future.