Who is most at risk for AIDS-related cancers?

Diana Meeks on behalf of Sigma Nursing

Family Practitioner

You are most likely to develop the cancers considered AIDS-related if you have HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) plus another risk factor. These risk factors include:

a low CD4 (white blood cell) count
smoking or excessive drinking
human herpesvirus 8 infection
human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
Epstein-Barr virus infection
hepatitis B or C infection
failure to take HIV medications properly

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

AIDS-Related Cancers

With a weakened immune system, individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, have a substantially higher risk of developing certain cancers than those who are virus-free. Kaposi sarcoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and cervical cancer are considered AIDS-defining cancers: Medical experts mark the development of one of those cancers as the defining point when an individual has developed acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. Learn more about the symptoms and diagnosis of AIDS-related cancers with expert advice from Sharecare.

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