Including Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), Non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkins disease (HD)

AIDS-defining cancer

Several important cancers are linked to HIV, and are listed as AIDS-defining illnesses. These include Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), Non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL), Hodgkins disease (HD) and cervical cancer.

Other types of cancer

Even though many other cancers occur more frequently in HIV-positive individuals compared to the general population (eg anal cancer, lung cancer, Hodgkins Disease) they have not been categorised as AIDS-defining. This may change in the future.

Some cancers (eg breast cancer) do not appear to occur at higher rates in HIV-positive people.

What is cancer?

Cancer is a disease caused by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.

Benign (in situ) cancers are contained to the original cells. As long as they do not spread, they are not dangerous.

Malignant cancers spread to other parts of the body and are much more serious. If the spread is not controlled, they can be fatal.

Lymphoma are cancers that develop in the lymphatic system. The most common type of lymphoma is Hodgkins disease (HD). All other lymphomas are called non-Hodgkins lymphomas (NHL).

Sarcoma are cancers of the bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, skin or other connective tissue. The most common sarcoma associated with HIV is Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS).

Carcinoma is the name for a form of cancer that develops in tissues covering or lining organs of the body, such as the skin, the uterus, the lung, or the breast.

Main symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Each cancer has different characteristics, symptoms and treatment. All cancers have a better outlook if they are detected early.

Apart from KS, HIV-related cancers are the one type of illnesses that do not dramatically improve and resolve as a response to ARV therapy. This is why screening and early monitoring is important.

Many HIV-related cancers are linked to other viral infections:

• KS is skin cancer that can also affect other organs and is associated with HHV-8 (human herpes virus 8).
• Cervical and anal cancer are both linked to HPV (human papilloma virus). HPV is a large family of viruses that also cause genital and anal warts. Some strains (16, 18, 31, 33, 35) have a stronger link to cancer than others.
• Epstein-Barr virus is associated with NHL.
• Liver cancer is associated with hepatitis C virus.

Further reading

Information about HIV and cancer from the i-Base guide to side effects and other complications.