Acantoma de células claras. Estudio clínico de 70 pacientes / Clear Cell Acanthoma: A Series of 70 Cases

Antecedentes y objetivo El acantoma de células claras (ACC) es una lesión poco frecuente caracterizada histológicamente por la presencia de acantosis epidérmica a expensas de queratinocitos de citoplasma claro. Aunque se han descrito muchos casos clínicos de forma individual, se han publicado pocas series de pacientes con ACC. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar las características clínicas del ACC en nuestra población. Material y métodos Estudio retrospectivo de los pacientes con ACC diagnosticados en el Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge en Barcelona, España, entre 1995-2021. Se revisaron las historias clínicas para obtener los siguientes datos: edad, sexo, localización, número de lesiones, diámetro, tiempo de evolución, características clínicas de los tumores, diagnóstico clínico de sospecha y el tratamiento realizado Resultados Setenta pacientes con ACC fueron incluidos en el estudio (30 mujeres y 40 varones, edad media 62 años, DE 13). La mediana del tiempo de evolución fue de dos años, rango intercuartílico (RIQ) 4 y la del diámetro 6 mm, RIQ 5. Una paciente presentó lesiones múltiples. Las lesiones se localizaron en las extremidades inferiores en 57 pacientes (81%), en la cara posterior del tronco en ocho (11%), la cara anterior del tronco en cuatro (5%) y en las extremidades superiores en uno (1%). Se planteó el diagnóstico clínico de ACC en 40% de los pacientes atendidos por dermatólogos. Conclusiones El aspecto clínico característico del ACC es el de una lesión cupuliforme eritematosa con punteado vascular y collarete epidérmico. La proporción de ACC diagnosticados clínicamente ha mejorado respecto a series antiguas, quizás por un mayor conocimiento clínico de la entidad y un mayor uso de la dermatoscopia (AU)

Background and objective Clear cell acanthoma (CCA) is an uncommon lesion histologically characterized by the presence of epidermal acanthosis with keratinocytes containing clear cytoplasm. Although many single cases of CCA have been described, few case series have been published. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of CCA in our practice setting. Material and methods Retrospective study of patients diagnosed with CCA at Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge in Barcelona, Spain, between 1995 and 2021. We conducted a chart review to record age, sex, number and location of lesions, diameter, time since onset, clinical characteristics, suspected clinical diagnosis, and treatment. Results Seventy patients (30 women and 40 men) with a mean (SD) age of 62 (13) years were diagnosed with CCA during the study period. Median (interquartile range) time since onset was 2 (4) years and median lesion diameter was 6 (5) mm. One woman had multiple lesions. Lesions were located on the lower extremities in 57 patients (81%), the posterior aspect of the trunk in 8 (11%), the anterior aspect of the trunk in 4 (5%), and the upper extremities in 1 (1%). CCA was clinically suspected in 40% of patients seen by dermatologists. Conclusions CCA presents as an erythematous, dome-shaped lesion with pinpoint vessels and an epidermal collarette. The accuracy of clinical diagnosis has improved relative to earlier series, possibly due to a better clinical understanding of this lesion and a greater use of dermoscopy (AU)

[Translated article] Clear Cell Acanthoma: A Series of 70 Cases / Acantoma de células claras. Estudio clínico de 70 pacientes

Background and objective Clear cell acanthoma (CCA) is an uncommon lesion histologically characterized by the presence of epidermal acanthosis with keratinocytes containing clear cytoplasm. Although many single cases of CCA have been described, few case series have been published. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of CCA in our practice setting. Material and methods Retrospective study of patients diagnosed with CCA at Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge in Barcelona, Spain, between 1995 and 2021. We conducted a chart review to record age, sex, number and location of lesions, diameter, time since onset, clinical characteristics, suspected clinical diagnosis, and treatment. Results Seventy patients (30 women and 40 men) with a mean (SD) age of 62 (13) years were diagnosed with CCA during the study period. Median (interquartile range) time since onset was 2 (4) years and median lesion diameter was 6 (5)mm. One woman had multiple lesions. Lesions were located on the lower extremities in 57 patients (81%), the posterior aspect of the trunk in 8 (11%), the anterior aspect of the trunk in 4 (5%), and the upper extremities in 1 (1%). CCA was clinically suspected in 40% of patients seen by dermatologists. Conclusions CCA presents as an erythematous, dome-shaped lesion with pinpoint vessels and an epidermal collarette. The accuracy of clinical diagnosis has improved relative to earlier series, possibly due to a better clinical understanding of this lesion and a greater use of dermoscopy (AU)

Antecedentes y objetivo El acantoma de células claras (ACC) es una lesión poco frecuente caracterizada histológicamente por la presencia de acantosis epidérmica a expensas de queratinocitos de citoplasma claro. Aunque se han descrito muchos casos clínicos de forma individual, se han publicado pocas series de pacientes con ACC. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar las características clínicas del ACC en nuestra población. Material y métodos Estudio retrospectivo de los pacientes con ACC diagnosticados en el Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge en Barcelona, España, entre 1995-2021. Se revisaron las historias clínicas para obtener los siguientes datos: edad, sexo, localización, número de lesiones, diámetro, tiempo de evolución, características clínicas de los tumores, diagnóstico clínico de sospecha y tratamiento realizado. Resultados Setenta pacientes con ACC fueron incluidos en el estudio (30 mujeres y 40 varones, edad media: 62 años, DE: 13). La mediana del tiempo de evolución fue de 2 años, rango intercuartílico (RIQ): 4 y la del diámetro 6mm, RIQ: 5. Una paciente presentó lesiones múltiples. Las lesiones se localizaron en las extremidades inferiores en 57 pacientes (81%), en la cara posterior del tronco en 8 pacientes (11%), la cara anterior del tronco en 4 pacientes (5%) y en las extremidades superiores en un paciente (1%). Se planteó el diagnóstico clínico de ACC en el 40% de los pacientes atendidos por dermatólogos. Conclusiones El aspecto clínico característico del ACC es el de una lesión cupuliforme eritematosa con punteado vascular y collarete epidérmico. La proporción de ACC diagnosticados clínicamente ha mejorado respecto a series antiguas, quizás por un mayor conocimiento clínico de la entidad y un mayor uso de la dermatoscopia (AU)

Clear Cell Acanthoma: A Series of 70 Cases. / Acantoma de células claras. Estudio clínico de 70 pacientes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Clear cell acanthoma (CCA) is an uncommon lesion histologically characterized by the presence of epidermal acanthosis with keratinocytes containing clear cytoplasm. Although many single cases of CCA have been described, few case series have been published. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of CCA in our practice setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of patients diagnosed with CCA at Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge in Barcelona, Spain, between 1995 and 2021. We conducted a chart review to record age, sex, number and location of lesions, diameter, time since onset, clinical characteristics, suspected clinical diagnosis, and treatment. RESULTS: Seventy patients (30 women and 40 men) with a mean (SD) age of 62 (13) years were diagnosed with CCA during the study period. Median (interquartile range) time since onset was 2 (4) years and median lesion diameter was 6 (5) mm. One woman had multiple lesions. Lesions were located on the lower extremities in 57 patients (81%), the posterior aspect of the trunk in 8 (11%), the anterior aspect of the trunk in 4 (5%), and the upper extremities in 1 (1%). CCA was clinically suspected in 40% of patients seen by dermatologists. CONCLUSIONS: CCA presents as an erythematous, dome-shaped lesion with pinpoint vessels and an epidermal collarette. The accuracy of clinical diagnosis has improved relative to earlier series, possibly due to a better clinical understanding of this lesion and a greater use of dermoscopy.

Poroma. Estudio retrospectivo de 80 pacientes en un hospital terciario / Poroma: A Retrospective Series of 80 Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Introducción El poroma es un tumor anexial benigno exclusivo de la piel que tiene una predilección por la piel palmoplantar.Objetivo Analizar las características clínicas del poroma en nuestra población.Material y métodosEstudio retrospectivo de los pacientes con poroma diagnosticados entre 2002 y 2021. Se revisaron las historias clínicas para obtener los siguientes datos: edad, sexo, localización, número de lesiones, diámetro, tiempo de evolución, características clínicas de los tumores, diagnóstico clínico de sospecha, estado de los márgenes de resección, desarrollo de recidiva y tiempo de seguimiento. Las variables categóricas se compararon mediante la prueba exacta de Fisher. Las variables continuas se compararon mediante la prueba t de Student cuando se confirmó la normalidad de la distribución de datos. De lo contrario, se realizó la prueba U de Mann-Whitney. ResultadosSe incluyeron 80 pacientes con poroma (31 mujeres y 49 varones, con una edad mediana de 65,5 años y rango intercuartílico [RIC] 29 años). La mediana del tiempo medio de evolución fue de 12 meses, RIC 21 meses y la mediana del diámetro 8mm, RIC 7. Ningún paciente presentó lesiones múltiples. Las lesiones se localizaron en la cabeza y el cuello en 13 casos, en el tronco en 13, en las extremidades superiores en 11 y en las extremidades inferiores en 43. Veintitrés lesiones (28,8%) se localizaron en piel acral (palmas 5, plantas 18). La localización en el cuero cabelludo fue más frecuente en el sexo femenino (p=0,041). Las lesiones acrales fueron con mayor frecuencia eritematosas (p=0,014). Cinco pacientes presentaron recidiva local. Conclusiones Aunque los poromas son especialmente frecuentes en la piel acral, sobre todo de los pies, en la mayoría de pacientes se localizan en otras regiones anatómicas (71,3%). El aspecto clínico clásico de lesión exofítica eritematosa se observa con una mayor frecuencia en las lesiones acrales. (AU)

Background Poroma is a benign, exclusively cutaneous, adnexal tumor with a predilection for palmoplantar skin. Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of poroma in our population.Material and methodsRetrospective study of patients diagnosed with poroma between 2002 and 2021. We conducted a chart review to record age; sex; number, location, and diameter of lesions; time since onset; clinical characteristics; suspected clinical diagnosis; resection margin status; recurrences; and follow-up duration. Categorical variables were compared using the Fisher exact test. Continuous variables were compared using the t test or the Mann-Whitney U test depending on whether they were normally or nonnormally distributed. Results We studied 80 patients (31 women and 49 men) with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of 65.5 (29) years. Median time since onset of poroma was 12 (21) months. Median lesion diameter was 8(7)mm, and none of the patients had multiple lesions. The lesions were located on the head and neck in 13 cases, the trunk in 13, the upper extremities in 11, and the lower extremities in 43. Twenty-three lesions (28.8%) were located at acral sites (5 on the palms and 18 on the soles). Women were more likely to have scalp lesions (P=.041). Acral lesions were more likely to be erythematous (P=.014). Five patients experienced local recurrence. Conclusions Although poromas are particularly common in acral locations (especially the feet), most of the lesions in our series (71.3%) were located elsewhere. Acral lesions were more likely to show the classic clinical features of erythema and exophytic growth. (AU)

[Translated article] Poroma: A Retrospective Series of 80 Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital / Poroma. Estudio retrospectivo de 80 pacientes en un hospital terciario

Background Poroma is a benign, exclusively cutaneous, adnexal tumor with a predilection for palmoplantar skin. Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of poroma in our population.Material and methods Retrospective study of patients diagnosed with poroma between 2002 and 2021. We conducted a chart review to record age; sex; number, location, and diameter of lesions; time since onset; clinical characteristics; suspected clinical diagnosis; resection margin status; recurrences; and follow-up duration. Categorical variables were compared using the Fisher exact test. Continuous variables were compared using the t test or the Mann–Whitney U test depending on whether they were normally or nonnormally distributed. Results We studied 80 patients (31 women and 49 men) with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of 65.5 (29) years. Median time since onset of poroma was 12 (21) months. Median lesion diameter was 8 (7)mm, and none of the patients had multiple lesions. The lesions were located on the head and neck in 13 cases, the trunk in 13, the upper extremities in 11, and the lower extremities in 43. Twenty-three lesions (28.8%) were located at acral sites (5 on the palms and 18 on the soles). Women were more likely to have scalp lesions (P=.041). Acral lesions were more likely to be erythematous (P=.014). Five patients experienced local recurrence. Conclusions Although poromas are particularly common in acral locations (especially the feet), most of the lesions in our series (71.3%) were located elsewhere. Acral lesions were more likely to show the classic clinical features of erythema and exophytic growth. (AU)

Introducción El poroma es un tumor anexial benigno exclusivo de la piel que tiene predilección por la piel palmoplantar. Objetivo Analizar las características clínicas del poroma en nuestra población. Material y métodos Estudio retrospectivo de los pacientes con poroma diagnosticados entre 2002 y 2021. Se revisaron las historias clínicas para obtener los siguientes datos: edad, sexo, localización, número de lesiones, diámetro, tiempo de evolución, características clínicas de los tumores, diagnóstico clínico de sospecha, estado de los márgenes de resección, desarrollo de recidiva y tiempo de seguimiento. Las variables categóricas se compararon mediante la prueba exacta de Fisher. Las variables continuas se compararon mediante la prueba t de Student cuando se confirmó la normalidad de la distribución de datos. De lo contrario, se realizó la prueba U de Mann-Whitney. Resultados Se incluyeron 80 pacientes con poroma (31 mujeres y 49 varones, con una edad mediana de 65,5años y rango intercuartílico [RIC] de 29 años). La mediana del tiempo medio de evolución fue de 12meses, RIC 21 meses, y la mediana del diámetro 8mm, RIC 7. Ningún paciente presentó lesiones múltiples. Las lesiones se localizaron en la cabeza y en el cuello en 13 casos, en el tronco en 13, en las extremidades superiores en 11 y en las extremidades inferiores en 43. Veintitrés lesiones (28,8%) se localizaron en piel acral (palmas 5, plantas 18). La localización en el cuero cabelludo fue más frecuente en el sexo femenino (p=0,041). Las lesiones acrales fueron con mayor frecuencia eritematosas (p=0,014). Cinco pacientes presentaron recidiva local. Conclusiones Aunque los poromas son especialmente frecuentes en la piel acral, sobre todo de los pies, en la mayoría de pacientes se localizan en otras regiones anatómicas (71,3%). El aspecto clínico clásico de lesión exofítica eritematosa se observa con una mayor frecuencia en las lesiones acrales. (AU)

Poroma: A Retrospective Series of 80 Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital. / Poroma. Estudio retrospectivo de 80 pacientes en un hospital terciario.

BACKGROUND: Poroma is a benign, exclusively cutaneous, adnexal tumor with a predilection for palmoplantar skin. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics of poroma in our population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of patients diagnosed with poroma between 2002 and 2021. We conducted a chart review to record age; sex; number, location, and diameter of lesions; time since onset; clinical characteristics; suspected clinical diagnosis; resection margin status; recurrences; and follow-up duration. Categorical variables were compared using the Fisher exact test. Continuous variables were compared using the t test or the Mann-Whitney U test depending on whether they were normally or nonnormally distributed. RESULTS: We studied 80 patients (31 women and 49 men) with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of 65.5 (29) years. Median time since onset of poroma was 12 (21) months. Median lesion diameter was 8(7)mm, and none of the patients had multiple lesions. The lesions were located on the head and neck in 13 cases, the trunk in 13, the upper extremities in 11, and the lower extremities in 43. Twenty-three lesions (28.8%) were located at acral sites (5 on the palms and 18 on the soles). Women were more likely to have scalp lesions (P=.041). Acral lesions were more likely to be erythematous (P=.014). Five patients experienced local recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Although poromas are particularly common in acral locations (especially the feet), most of the lesions in our series (71.3%) were located elsewhere. Acral lesions were more likely to show the classic clinical features of erythema and exophytic growth.

Risk factors for oral epithelial dysplasias to become malignant: clinical implications.

There is a lack of effective clinical management of oral epithelial dysplasias to reduce their risk of malignant transformation and considerable gaps in knowledge regarding the most effective means of treating such lesions. A retrospective cohort of biopsy-confirmed oral epithelial dysplasias consecutively diagnosed in the period 1995-2014 and followed-up until 2017 was identified from pathology department files. Demographic, clinical and follow-up information was collected. Multivariate Cox proportional-hazards models were performed to evaluate sociodemographic, clinical and pathological factors associated with progression to oral squamous cell carcinoma. The study included 144 oral epithelial dysplasias, of which 42% progressed to oral cancer at the end of follow-up (21 years). Clinical aspect of the lesion was described for 77 (53.5%) of the patients. Treatment, age, grade of the lesion and diagnostic period were independent prognostic factors for progression. When considering only patients with described clinical aspect, only treatment and grade of the lesion were independently associated with cancer. The results from this non-selected retrospective cohort of oral epithelial dysplasias underscore the existing limitations of the current standard-of-care of the patients and provide novel insights on the management of these lesions with and without described clinical aspect. Well-designed, robust prospective studies, a homogenized staging system and multidisciplinary treatment guidelines are warranted.

Tumor de células granulares. Estudio clínico de 81 pacientes / Granular Cell Tumor: A Clinical Study of 81 Patients

Introducción: El tumor de células granulares (TCG) suele desarrollarse en la piel o en la mucosa oral, pero se ha descrito en muchos otros órganos. Suele ser único, pero puede ser múltiple y asociarse a otras enfermedades. Objetivos: Analizar las características clínicas de nuestros pacientes con TCG en la piel y la mucosa oral y su posible asociación con otras afecciones. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de los pacientes con TCG diagnosticados entre 1995-2019. Se revisaron las historias clínicas para obtener los siguientes datos: edad, sexo, localización, número de lesiones, diámetro, tiempo de evolución, diagnóstico clínico de sospecha, estado de los márgenes de resección, desarrollo de recidiva, tiempo de seguimiento y enfermedades asociadas. Resultados: Ochenta y un pacientes presentaron 89 TCG en la piel y la mucosa oral (43 mujeres/38 varones, edad media 40,21años). El diámetro medio fue de 1,34cm. Contabilizando los tumores extracutáneos 5 de los 81 pacientes presentaban TCG múltiple (6,2%). La edad media de los pacientes con TCG múltiple fue significativamente inferior a la de los pacientes con un único tumor (p=0,004). Solamente un paciente presentó recidiva local y ninguno desarrolló metástasis a distancia. No hemos detectado ningún caso asociado a otras enfermedades. Conclusiones: La mayoría de TCG son benignos, y a pesar de tener los márgenes afectados no suelen presentar recidivas locales. Sin embargo, hay que tener en cuenta la posibilidad de presentar TCG múltiples, tanto en la piel y en la mucosa oral como en órganos internos, especialmente en pacientes jóvenes (AU)

Introduction: Although a granular cell tumor (GCT) usually develops on the skin or oral mucosa, it has been described in many other organs. GCT typically presents as a solitary tumor, but multiple lesions can occur. It has also been described in association with other diseases. Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics of cutaneous and oral mucosal GCTs and explore potential associations with other diseases. Material and methods: Retrospective study of patients diagnosed with GCT at our hospital between 1995 and 2019. The following information was collected from the patients’ medical records: age, sex, number of GCTs, location, diameter, time to diagnosis, tentative clinical diagnosis, surgical margin status, recurrence, follow-up time, and associated diseases. Results: We detected 89 cutaneous or oral mucosal GCTs in 81 patients (43 women, 38 men) with a mean age of 40.21 years. The mean tumor diameter was 1.34cm. Five of the 81 patients (6.2%) had multiple GCTs, including noncutaneous tumors. Patients with multiple GCTs were on average younger than those with a single tumor (P=.004). There was only a single case of local recurrence and no cases of distant metastasis. None of the patients had associated diseases. Conclusions: Most GCTs are benign and local recurrence is uncommon, even in patients with positive margins. Nevertheless, the possibility of multiple tumors affecting the skin, oral mucosa, or internal organs should be borne in mind, especially in young patients (AU)

Granular Cell Tumor: A Clinical Study of 81 Patients. / Tumor de células granulares. Estudio clínico de 81 pacientes.

INTRODUCTION: Although a granular cell tumor (GCT) usually develops on the skin or oral mucosa, it has been described in many other organs. GCT typically presents as a solitary tumor, but multiple lesions can occur. It has also been described in association with other diseases. OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical characteristics of cutaneous and oral mucosal GCTs and explore potential associations with other diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of patients diagnosed with GCT at our hospital between 1995 and 2019. The following information was collected from the patients' medical records: age, sex, number of GCTs, location, diameter, time to diagnosis, tentative clinical diagnosis, surgical margin status, recurrence, follow-up time, and associated diseases. RESULTS: We detected 89 cutaneous or oral mucosal GCTs in 81 patients (43 women, 38 men) with a mean age of 40.21 years. The mean tumor diameter was 1.34cm. Five of the 81 patients (6.2%) had multiple GCTs, including noncutaneous tumors. Patients with multiple GCTs were on average younger than those with a single tumor (P=.004). There was only a single case of local recurrence and no cases of distant metastasis. None of the patients had associated diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Most GCTs are benign and local recurrence is uncommon, even in patients with positive margins. Nevertheless, the possibility of multiple tumors affecting the skin, oral mucosa, or internal organs should be borne in mind, especially in young patients.

Extramammary Paget Disease. / Enfermedad de Paget extramamaria.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Extramammary Paget disease (EMPD) has seldom been studied in Mediterranean populations. We aimed to review the characteristics of our patients with EMPD, the presence of a neoplasm in continuity, and the long-term course of the disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study of 27 patients diagnosed with EMPD between 1990 and 2015. All clinical and pathology findings related to clinical course and outcomes were retrieved for analysis. RESULTS: Twenty patients were women and 7 were men. Ages ranged from 42 to 88 years (median, 76 years). Lesions were in the following locations: vulva (16 cases), pubis-groin (5), perianal region (4), and axilla (2). Time from onset to diagnosis ranged from 1 to 60 months (median, 12 months) and maximum lesion diameter from 20 to 140mm (median, 55mm). In 3 cases (11.1%) EMPD was a secondary condition. None of the lesions developed on a previous cutaneous adnexal adenocarcinoma. Ten of the 24 primary EMPDs (41.7%) invaded the dermis. Eight of the 27 patients (29.6%) experienced local recurrence after the initial surgical treatment.Three patients (11.1%) died as a consequence of metastasis from the EMPD. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of an underlying cutaneous adnexal adenocarcinoma is uncommon, but it is not unusual to find an extracutaneous adenocarcinoma in continuity. Although EMPD is a slow-growing tumor, dermal invasion is frequent and metastasis is not uncommon. Local recurrence is common even after excision with wide margins and may be delated, so long term follow-up is essential.

Cutaneous sebaceous tumours and Lynch syndrome: long-term follow-up of 60 patients.

BACKGROUND: Sebaceous neoplasms (SN) may appear sporadically in the general population but may also be part of the Muir-Torre variant of Lynch syndrome (MT-LS). There are few studies in southern Europe on the incidence of MT-LS in the population of patients with SN. AIM: To retrospectively review patients with SN and to analyse their clinical features and the incidence of MT-LS. METHODS: Patients with SN diagnosed between 1995 and 2015 were enrolled in the study. The diagnosis of MT-LS was made according to established clinical criteria and, whenever possible, was confirmed by germline mutation analysis. RESULTS: In 60 patients (32 men, 28 women, mean age 69.22 years), 96 SN were diagnosed: 65 adenomas (67.7%), 16 sebaceomas (16.7%) and 15 carcinomas (15.6%). Of the 60 patients, 50 (83.3%) had a single SN and 10 (16.7%) had multiple lesions. Patients diagnosed with MT-LS (12 patients, 20%) were younger (63.25 years vs. 70.71 years), and had a higher incidence of extrafacial SN (4/12 patients, 33.3%), and were significantly (P < 0.001) more likely to have multiple SNs (8/12, 75%) and keratoacanthomas (KAs) (6/12, 50%). CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that all patients with SN should be investigated, as 20% of our patients were diagnosed with MT-LS. The most specific features of SN associated with MT-LS in our study were the presence of multiple lesions and association with KAs.

Evolution of Kaposi sarcoma in the past 30 years in a tertiary hospital of the European Mediterranean basin.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) has reduced as a result of the introduction of antiretroviral therapy. It is currently considered a rare disease in developed countries, and there has been a paucity of clinical papers on the subject in recent years in Europe. AIM: To analyse the clinical features and evolution of the different clinical forms of KS in the past 30 years. METHODS: Patients with cutaneous lesions of KS diagnosed during the period 1987-2016 at Bellvitge Hospital (an 800-bed university referral centre in Barcelona, Spain) were enrolled. Data recorded included age, sex, ethnicity, involved site, number of lesions, extracutaneous involvement, leg oedema, treatment, blood haemoglobin level, and blood cell (leucocyte, lymphocyte and CD4) counts. RESULTS: Cutaneous lesions of KS were diagnosed in 191 patients (167 men, 24 women, mean ± SD age 51.95 ± 20.16 years). Clinical forms identified were classic KS (n = 53), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated KS (n = 118), immunosuppression-associated KS (n = 18), and African endemic KS (n = 2). The number of patients diagnosed annually reached a maximum in the 1990s because of the AIDS epidemic, and has decreased since 2000. However, both classic KS and immunosuppression-associated KS doubled from the first to the second half of the analysed period. Cutaneous lesions involved the legs in 137 cases, and extracutaneous lesions were detected in 32 patients. In 46 of 118 patients with AIDS, the diagnosis of KS was simultaneous to the detection of human immunodeficiency virus infection. CONCLUSION: After a decrease in incidence since the middle of the 1990s, AIDS-associated KS continues to occur in Europe, and the number of annual cases of classic KS and immunosuppression-associated KS is increasing.