CONJUNCTIVAL SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA AND HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS

We describe the clinical and histopathological findings of a conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma occurring in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The excisional biopsy specimen disclosed a papillar, well differenciated and mature squamous cell carcinoma with microinvasion. The biopsy was studied for the presence of Human papilloma virus DNA by using in situ hybridization but no signal was demonstrated in any part of the tumour. Although Kaposi's sarcoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are the most common malignancies reported in AIDS, squamous cell carcinomas may be encountered in the disease. Underlying infection with the human immunodeficiency virus should be considered when conjunctival localization of such malignancies is observed.