AIDS-related cancers: treatment?

[BBQvegan]

Hi all,

I am interested in oncology nursing and I recently became aware of AIDS-related cancers. I am wondering if these patients are treated in an AIDS setting or an oncology setting? What treatments do they receive and what are the specific cancers?

Thanks!

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

Often, HIV and AIDS (with or without malignancy) are managed either in cancer centers or in large hospitals that also treat cancer, so the distinction of AIDS setting vs. oncology setting isn't an easy one to make.

Kaposi's sarcoma and certain types of lymphoma are among the AIDS-related cancers, to get you started.

[bostonette]

Hi BBQvegan! It's a great question. AIDS-related cancers such as the classic Kaposi's Sarcoma are caused by the severe suppression of the immune system. Often the priority treatment is to have the patient initiate an anti-retroviral regimen of potent and active antivirals to help bolster the immune system. A physician would usually do this in tandem with input from an expert in HIV treatment as well as by working closely with an oncologist. Some AIDS-related cancers, if caught early, will respond to active anti-HIV therapy alone. Others, and more advanced stages, can require chemotherapy, radiation and/or excision. TheBodyPro.com is a great website that may answer some more of your questions - it is a website for healthcare providers to self-education on the latest in HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention.