Camila A Carlman
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is both infectious and contagious disease. The people infected with HIV have an increased risk of cancer while comparing with uninfected people. Kaposi’s sarcoma, aggressive B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma & cervical cancer are the three types of cancers which are termed as “HIV –associated cancers”. Apart from these cancers, HIV patients are prone to cancers of anus, liver, lung, pharynx which are termed as “non-AIDS defining cancers”. Biological agents like virus, bacteria are one among the factors causing the cancer. So, infection with HIV weakens the immune system and reduces the body’s ability to fight viral infections that may lead to cancer. Immunosuppression and inflammation in HIV patients with compromised immune system also contribute to cancer progression. The complications of AIDS- related cancers include easy bleeding and bruising, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, mouth sores, hair loss etc. According to the data, HIV infected males are more susceptible to Kaposi’s sarcoma and Non- Hodgkin Lymphoma whereas females are more liable to cervical cancers. Early diagnosis and treatment options help to drop the risk of AIDS related cancers. The diagnosis can include: biopsy (a sample of tissue from lesion/lump observed under microscope), blood tests imaging tests (X-rays, CT/ MRI scans) etc. Cervical cancer screening guidelines incorporate result of Pap test and HPV DNA test. THE HAART therapy reduces the risk of cancer in HIV patients by lowering the amount of HIV circulating in blood, so that function of immune system to fight the virus is restored. Other treatment methods are chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation and surgery. The CDC recommends vaccination against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which is causing cervical cancer.
