Overview
HIV-associated cancer refers to cancers that develop in people living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). HIV weakens the immune system by attacking and destroying CD4 cells, which are white blood cells that help the body fight infections and disease. When the immune system is weakened, the body has a harder time controlling abnormal cell growth and certain viral infections that can lead to cancer. This condition is sometimes called AIDS-defining cancer or HIV-related malignancy, depending on the specific cancer type involved. The most well-known HIV-associated cancers include Kaposi sarcoma (a cancer that causes lesions on the skin and internal organs), certain types of lymphoma (cancers of the lymph system), and cervical cancer. However, people with HIV also have a higher risk of many other cancers, including anal cancer, liver cancer, and lung cancer. Symptoms vary widely depending on which cancer develops, but may include unexplained weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, skin lesions, fatigue, and night sweats. Treatment has improved dramatically with the widespread use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), which controls HIV and helps restore immune function. When HIV is well-controlled, the risk of many HIV-associated cancers drops significantly. Cancer treatment may include chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, or surgery, often given alongside ART. Early diagnosis and consistent HIV treatment are the most important factors in improving outcomes.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Unexplained weight lossPersistent fatigueSwollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groinSkin lesions or unusual spots on the skin (especially with Kaposi sarcoma)Night sweatsFever that keeps coming backDifficulty swallowingShortness of breathAbdominal pain or swellingUnusual bleeding or bruisingPersistent coughConfusion or changes in thinking (with brain lymphoma)
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsAlbert Einstein College of Medicine — NA
National Cancer Institute (NCI) — PHASE2
Emory University — NA
University of California, San Francisco — PHASE2
Lisa Flowers — PHASE2
Tulane University — NA
Emory University — PHASE1
Wake Forest University Health Sciences — NA
Lisa Flowers — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
1 availableDyural 80-Lm
hypercalcemia associated with cancer
Rare Disease Specialist
Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to HIV-associated cancer.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about HIV-associated cancer
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Quitting Matters Human Immunodeficiency Virus Hybrid Trial
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for HIV-associated cancer
New recruiting trial: Feasibility of HPV Testing With Mail-delivered Sample Collection Kits
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for HIV-associated cancer
New recruiting trial: Impact of Behavior Modification Interventions and Lung Cancer Screening on Smoking Cessation in People Living With HIV: A Feasibility Study
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for HIV-associated cancer
New recruiting trial: Transdiagnostic Intervention to Reduce Internalized Health-Related Stigma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for HIV-associated cancer
New recruiting trial: Screening Strategies Among High-risk Populations for Anal Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for HIV-associated cancer
New recruiting trial: T-Cell Therapy (EB103) in Adults With Relapsed/Refractory B-Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for HIV-associated cancer
New recruiting trial: Recombinant Glycosylated Human Interleukin-7 (CYT107) for the Treatment of Kaposi Sarcoma in Participants With HIV and Immune Non-Response (REGIMENKS HIV)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for HIV-associated cancer
New recruiting trial: Abemaciclib in Patients With HIV-associated and HIV-negative Kaposi Sarcoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for HIV-associated cancer
New recruiting trial: A Registry Study on HIV-related Lymphoma
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for HIV-associated cancer
New recruiting trial: Pomalidomide and Nivolumab in People With Virus-Associated Malignancies With or Without HIV
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for HIV-associated cancer
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Which type of cancer do I have, and how does HIV affect my treatment options?,Should I change or adjust my HIV medications during cancer treatment?,What cancer screening tests should I be having regularly because I have HIV?,Are there clinical trials I might be eligible for?,How will we know if the cancer treatment is working?,What side effects should I watch for, and when should I go to the emergency room?,What support services are available to help me manage both HIV and cancer at the same time?
Common questions about HIV-associated cancer
What is HIV-associated cancer?
HIV-associated cancer refers to cancers that develop in people living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). HIV weakens the immune system by attacking and destroying CD4 cells, which are white blood cells that help the body fight infections and disease. When the immune system is weakened, the body has a harder time controlling abnormal cell growth and certain viral infections that can lead to cancer. This condition is sometimes called AIDS-defining cancer or HIV-related malignancy, depending on the specific cancer type involved. The most well-known HIV-associated cancers include Kaposi sar
How is HIV-associated cancer inherited?
HIV-associated cancer follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does HIV-associated cancer typically begin?
Typical onset of HIV-associated cancer is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for HIV-associated cancer?
Yes — 6 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for HIV-associated cancer on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat HIV-associated cancer?
25 specialists and care centers treating HIV-associated cancer are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.