A review on HIV-related Cancer risk in India

[Guest guest]

Bob Biggar et al are reviewing cancer risk in persosn with HIV/AIDS in India

and discussing research directions on the Infectious Agents and Cancer online

Open Access Journal at

http://www.infectagentscancer.com/content/4/1/4

Cancer risk in persons with HIV/AIDS in India: a review and directions for

research

J Biggar , Anil K. Chaturvedi , Kishor Bhatia and Sam M. Mbulaiteye

Infectious Agents and Cancer 2009, 4:4doi:10.1186/1750-9378-4-4

Published: 28 March 2009

Abstract (provisional)

Background

India has a large and evolving HIV epidemic. Little is known about cancer risk

in Indian persons with HIV/AIDS (PHA) but risk is thought to be low.

Methods

To describe the state of knowledge about cancer patterns in Indian PHA, we

reviewed reports from the international and Indian literature.

Results

As elsewhere, non-Hodgkin lymphomas dominate the profile of recognized cancers,

with immunoblastic/large cell diffuse lymphoma being the most common type.

Hodgkin lymphoma is proportionally increased, perhaps because survival with AIDS

is truncated by fatal infections. In contrast, Kaposi sarcoma is rare, in

association with an apparently low prevalence of Kaposi sarcoma-associated

herpesvirus. If confirmed, the reasons for the low prevalence need to be

understood. Cervical, anal, vulva/vaginal and penile cancers all appear to be

increased in PHA, based on limited data. The association may be confounded by

sexual behaviors that transmit both HIV and human papillomavirus. Head and neck

tumor incidence may also be increased, an important concern since these tumors

are among the most common in India. Based on limited evidence, the increase is

at buccal/palatal sites, which are associated with tobacco and betel nut chewing

rather than human papillomavirus.

Conclusions

With improving care of HIV and better management of infections, especially

tuberculosis, the longer survival of PHA in India will likely increase the

importance of cancer as a clinical problem in India. With the population's

geographic and social diversity, India presents unique research opportunities

that can be embedded in programs targeting HIV/AIDS and other public health

priorities.

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Let's have your comments

Regards

Franco M. Buonaguro, M.D.

e-mail: <irccsvir@...>