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Cancers in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children
1Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. mueller_b@a1.tch.harvard.edu
Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Monographs
|August 26, 1998
Summary
Childhood cancers, including lymphomas and rare tumors, are more common in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Aggressive treatment with supportive care shows promise for these complex cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exhibit an increased incidence of certain cancers, notably non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and soft tissue tumors.
- Rare childhood cancers like cervical, thyroid, and pulmonary carcinoma are also reported in HIV-infected children.
- Kaposi's sarcoma, while rare in HIV-infected children in industrialized nations, is more prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the landscape of cancers in children with HIV.
- To discuss the challenges and potential treatment strategies for pediatric cancers in the context of HIV infection.
Main Methods:
- Review of reported cancer incidence in HIV-infected children.
- Analysis of treatment complexities and outcomes.
Main Results:
- An excess of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and soft tissue tumors observed.
- Kaposi's sarcoma prevalence varies geographically.
- Treatment is complicated by HIV-related organ dysfunction, drug interactions, and immunosuppression.
Conclusions:
- Dose-intensive chemotherapy regimens show encouraging preliminary results.
- HIV-infected children with cancer may benefit from aggressive treatment and supportive care.
- Insights from these patients can advance understanding of oncogenesis and benefit other immunocompromised individuals.