Research and Treatment
Cervical cancer and HIV
Reproduced from the Reproductive Health Outlook (RHO) Website (http://www.rho.org), 2000.]
Cervical cancer is an important AIDS-related disease in women. Since 1993, the disease has been considered an AIDS-defining illness in women infected with HIV. Studies have established a higher prevalence of HPV infection among HIV-positive women compared to HIV-negative women; women with HIV infection are at risk of more virulent HPV infections and more rapid progression from infection to neoplasia. Furthermore, there is evidence suggesting that the higher prevalence of HPV among HIV-seropositive women reflects persistence or reactivation of latent infection rather than recent acquisition of new HPV infection
Dysplasia is common in women with HIV infection; those who are more severely immunosuppressed appear to be at a higher risk for dysplasia. The prevalence of dysplasia among HIV-infected women ranges from 31 to 63 percent. In addition to having a higher prevalence of cervical dysplasia, women with HIV have larger lesions, more advanced dysplasia, and more vulvovaginal lesions than do HIV-negative women. Dysplasias can be persistent, progressive, recurrent, and difficult to treat in women with HIV. The most effective method of treatment for dysplasias has not been determined. The current recommendations are to screen HIV-positive women every 6 months with a Pap smear and refer any women who has atypia or dysplasia on her Pap smear for colposcopy. www.path.org.
