AIDS-related malignancies in Ireland 1987–1994

1468-3083

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Background Patients who are HIV positive have on increased risk of developing a malignancy, most notably Kuposi's sarcoma (KS) and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL).Objective To assess the incidence of malignancy in a HIV positive cohort in Ireland.Methods We retrospectively reviewed all case notes of 784 HIV positive patients attending a GUM clinic of whom 340 had Stage IV disease.Results There were 43 diagnoses of malignancy in 41 patients, the majority of whom were homosexual. There were 25 cases of KS, seven cases, of primary cerebral lymphoma, seven cases of systemic NHL and four other malignancies. The overall incidence of malignancy was 12.1% of all patients with AIDS (i.e. 41/340 patients).Comment The incidence is lower than previously reported studies, but represents significant morbidity. The lower incidence may be explained by our patient demographic profile, In addition, malignancies may occur at a stage when patients are too ill to pursue investigation and post mortem examination may be refused. The need for close monitoring of high risk groups, such as HIV positive women with cervical dysplasia, has been confirmed.

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