The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) weakens the immune system and results in a clinical syndrome commonly known as AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). Advances have occurred in treating HIV and reducing the infectious disease complications of AIDS. However, many HIV positive individuals will develop cancers during the course of their illness (Recent estimates as high as 30-70%).

The four most common cancers in AIDS are Kaposi’s sarcoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, primary central nervous system lymphoma, and invasive squamous cell cancer.

Kaposi’s Sarcoma is a skin or surface cancer that affects primarily HIV-positive men. The lesions are typically pigmented (red, violet, brown, and blue-purple) and usually raised. Lesions may be found on skin surfaces, such as the face, mouth or legs. When KS involves the mouth, stomach or lungs, bleeding or protein-rich diarrhea may occur.

Treatment of Kaposi’s Sarcoma: Often consists of radiotherapy to localized skin lesions, and/or chemotherapy. Drugs such as vincristine, doxorubicin, etoposide, and bleomycin are commonly used either alone or in combination. Interferon may also have a role in the treatment of KS.

KS is not currently a disease treated with transplantation. However, the physicians at the Northern New Jersey Cancer Center are experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. The Center is currently participating in an Eastern Cooperative Group trial evaluating a new medication (9-Aminocamptothecin) in Kapsosi’s sarcoma. Call (201) 996-5800 for more information on this study.

HIV-Related Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas are typically aggressive lymphomas of B-cell type. In contrast to NHL in non-HIV populations, patients with AIDS frequently discover their NHL when it is advanced and involving the bone marrow, brain, bowel, lymph nodes and/or skin. Swollen lymph nodes and symptoms of fatigue, night sweats, and weight loss are common.

Treatment of HIV-related NHL involves combinations of chemotherapy drugs and/or radiation. Since lymphomas may present in differing stages (localized vs. systemic) and may be of many different subtypes, the treatment of NHL is highly variable. Many patients will require several months of chemotherapy with drugs such as cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone for the control of this disease.

HIV-related NHL is not currently a disease treated with transplantation at Hackensack University Medical Center. However, the physicians at the Northern New Jersey Cancer Center are experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. The Center is currently participating in a trial evaluating infusional CDE plus didanoside plus G-CSF in HIV related lymphoma. Call (201) 996-5800 for more information on this study.

Primary Central Nervous System Lymphomas are rare tumors affecting the brain and/or spinal cord. Unfortunately, many patients first present with the tumor when they develop confusion, memory changes, seizures, or coma.

Treatment of Primary Central Nervous System Lymphomas may consist of radiation and/or chemotherapy.

Primary Central Nervous System Lymphomas are not currently a disease treated with transplantation at Hackensack University Medical Center. However, the physicians at the Northern New Jersey Cancer Center are experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Invasive Squamous Cell Cancers are skin surface cancers that may progress rapidly in patients with AIDS. Common sites include cervical cancer in women, and cancers of the rectal area.

Treatment of Invasive Squamous Cell Cancers may involve radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is occasionally added in more advanced disease.

Invasive Squamous Cell Cancers are not currently a disease treated with transplantation at Hackensack University Medical Center. However, the physicians at the Northern New Jersey Cancer Center are experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.