Malignancies in HIV-infected patients

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can produce profound defects in cell-mediated immunity, and HIV-infected patients have a markedly increased incidence of malignancies. Kaposi's sarcoma was the first malignancy to be recognized as a cancer defining acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is also associated with AIDS. HIV-infected patients are also at increased risk of developing cancers related to human papilloma virus, such as cervical cancer and anal cancer. As the life expectancy of HIV-infected patients has increased dramatically with advaces in anti-retroviral therapy, the screening and prevention of malignancies should be included in the management of HIV-infected individuals.