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Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is an unusual neoplasm that has proved to be an enigma in many ways since its original description in 1872. KS, a vascular tumour that is otherwise rare, is at present the most common neoplasm in patients with AIDS. The lesions contain spindle cells that share features with endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells and are in all likelihood primitive mesenchymal cells that can form vascular channels. These cells are monoclonal in origin indicating therefore that KS is a neoplasm. The presence of a novel type of human herpes virus, KS herpesvirus (KSHV) also called human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV8) in KS lesions support a viral ethiology. KS may be mistaken in the skin for an inflammatory or other lesion, thus skin biopsy is important for correct diagnosis, with the use of immunohistochemistry or molecular biology if needed. Radiation or interferon alpha dominate in the therapeutic approaches.

A patient with primary malignant melanoma localized to the right gluteal region is described. Four years later and after intercurrent influenza, disseminated metastases of malignant melanoma to the skin occurred. After a further 6 months melanodermia developed and lasted until the death of the patient (6 months later). Autopsy revealed melanosis of the visceral organs. Histology taken from internal organs using S-100 protein and HMB-45 melanoma methods confirmed metastases of malignant melanoma to the skin, oral cavity, palatal tonsils, nasal and nasopharyngeal mucosae, lungs, myocardium and brain. The authors discuss the mechanism of melanosis--a rare sign in patients with metastasizing malignant melanoma.

The cases of 23 men with mechanical urethritis due to insertion of foreign bodies into the urethra are presented. Seven patients had upper urinary tract infections and one died with gangrene of the genitalia and septicaemia.

The anti-apoptotic protein survivin was detected in a panel of 27 dysplastic nevi. From each representative paraffin block 4 mm sections were cut and stained with anti-survivin antibody (DAKO, Clone 12C4). In each section, the labeling intensity, the subcellular location of survivin antigen, the percentage of labeled cells and the degree of dysplasia were assessed. Survivin was present in 23 out of 27 cases (85.2%), but absent in 4/27 cases (14.8%). Positive staining was confined to the cytoplasm (C) of nevus cells only in 18 cases (66.7%), while cytoplasmic as well as nuclear positivity (NC) was found in 5 cases (18.5%). In no case solely nuclear staining could be seen. Furthermore, in 4 out of 5 cases (80%) with NC staining, severe dysplasia was found. Our data point at usefulness of survivin staining, otherwise rarely performed in dysplastic nevi. We confirm the importance of nuclear location of the survivin antigen, which may be helpful for assessing the possible progression to melanoma.

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