Cancers

Cancers

AIDS Treatment Update, No. 44, August 1996
Edward King

Much previous research has established that women infected with certain strains of the virus HPV, which causes genital warts, are also at increased risk of pre-cancerous abnormalities and cervical cancer. HPV is also relatively common among gay men. A study estimated that in HIV-negative gay men, 6% develop pre-cancerous anal lesions (called squamous intra-epithelial lesions) during a two-year period. In HIV-positive men with CD4 counts above 500 the rate was 19%, rising to 26% among those with counts between 200 and 500, and 41% among men with counts below 200. The researchers suggested that screening for anal pre-cancer and cancer in gay men, like PAP smears for cervical cancer in women, should be considered (We.B.540).

Doctors from St Mary's Hospital in London reported the results of a trial of liposomal doxorubicin (known by the trade-names Doxil or Caelyx) as initial treatment for Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Among the 241 participants, those treated with liposomal doxorubicin were more likely to have a reduction in the number and severity of their KS lesions than people treated with the chemotherapy combination of bleomycin and vincristine, the current standard treatment. Response to treatment was also more rapid. Overall, liposomal doxorubicin caused fewer side-effects, with reduced rates of nausea, vomiting, hair loss and neuropathy, although it did cause more bone marrow suppression (LB.B.6026).

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Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1996. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

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