Non-lymphomatous brain tumors in HIV-1 infection: a review

A broad spectrum of malignant tumors affecting various organ systems in HIV-1 infected patients have been described in larger series. Intracerebral mass lesions encountered in HIV-1 infection are mostly due to toxoplasmosis and central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma. Brain tumors (excluding lymphomas) occurring in HIV-1 infected patients have only occasionally been described. The present review summarizes these diverse tumor entities and reports on the controversial theories of a possible oncogenic potential of HIV-1. Although rare, intracerebral tumors must be considered in the differential diagnosis of an intracranial space-occupying lesion in an HIV-1 infected patient.