Spectrum of Cancer Risk Late After AIDS Onset in the United States

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have an increased risk of cancer.1,2 Advanced HIV infection is characterized by profound immunosuppression (ie, AIDS), a risk factor for a number of malignancies. Three cancers are AIDS defining: Kaposi sarcoma (KS), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and cervical cancer.3 These cancers are caused by oncogenic viruses, specifically, KS-associated herpesvirus for KS, Epstein-Barr virus for the major AIDS-defining NHL subtypes (diffuse large B-cell NHL and central nervous system [CNS] NHL), and human papillomavirus (HPV) for cervical cancer.4-6 Those infected with HIV also have an elevated risk for other virus-related cancers (eg, anal cancer related to HPV, liver cancer related to hepatitis B and C viruses).5-7 In addition, HIV-infected people have a higher prevalence of lifestyle-associated risk factors for cancer, including smoking and alcohol abuse.8,9