Lymphoproliferative malignancies in association with endemic African Kaposi's sarcoma

The association of classical Kaposi's sarcoma with lymphoproliferative disorders is well known. However, far less is known about lymphoproliferative malignancies in endemic African Kaposi's sarcoma. A review of 47 patients with the endemic type of Kapos's sarcoma treated at the Johannesburg Teaching Hospital Complex between 1980 and 1992 revealed four patients (8.5 pc) in whom Kaposi's sarcoma was associated with a malignant lymphoma. Possible pathogenetic mechanisms are suggested and the current literature is reviewed.