A patient who is HIV-positive is at increased risk for developing cancers other than those that are AIDS defining. Burgi et al identified risk factors associated with these tumors. The authors are from San Diego State University and multiple military hospitals in the United States.
AIDS defining cancers include
(1) squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix
(2) Kaposi's sarcoma
(3) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Non-AIDS-defining cancers that are seen more often in HIV-positive patients:
(1) malignant melanoma
(2) basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas of the skin
(3) anal carcinoma
(4) Hodgkin's disease
(5) prostate cancer in men
Factors associated with increased risk:
(1) older age (odds ratio 12 if >= 40 years; 2.3-3.2 for 25-39 years)
(2) White non-Hispanic
(3) increased duration of HIV disease (odds ratio increases 1.2 per year)
(4) history of opportunistic infection
Factors associated with a decreased risk:
(1) HAART
A patient with multiple risk factors should be screened for cancer in order to allow for early detection.
