Soft tissue sarcomas in HIV-infected adult patients

Clinical and biological features of three HIV-infected adults with soft tissue sarcoma are reported. Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) detection was negative using in situ hybridisation, PCR analysis and Southern blot analysis in the two cases for which tumour samples were available, contrary to all previously reported paediatric cases. All three patients developed metastases. Chemotherapy was feasible but only afforded tumour stabilisation. The cause of death in all three cases was distant spread and not AIDS. Soft tissue sarcoma associated with HIV infection are not exclusively found in children, do not appear to be EBV-related in adult patients, and fare dismally despite vigorous therapy.