AIDS-related lymphoma
Encyclopedia
AIDS-related lymphoma describes lymphoma
s occurring in patient
s with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS
).
A lymphoma is a type of cancer arising from lymphoid
cells
. In AIDS, the incidences of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, primary cerebral
lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease are all increased.
positive people at the time of their diagnosis of HIV.
) is a form of NHL. It is very rare in immunocompetent people, with an incidence of 5–30 cases per million person-years. However the incidence in immunocompromised individuals is greatly increased, up to 100 per million person-years.
Primary cerebral lymphoma is strongly associated with Epstein-Barr virus
(EBV). The presence of EBV DNA
in cerebrospinal fluid
is highly suggestive of primary cerebral lymphoma.
Treatment of AIDS patients with antiretroviral drug
s reduces the incidence of primary cerebral lymphoma.
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a cancer in the lymphatic cells of the immune system. Typically, lymphomas present as a solid tumor of lymphoid cells. Treatment might involve chemotherapy and in some cases radiotherapy and/or bone marrow transplantation, and can be curable depending on the histology, type, and stage...
s occurring in patient
Patient
A patient is any recipient of healthcare services. The patient is most often ill or injured and in need of treatment by a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, veterinarian, or other health care provider....
s with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
).
A lymphoma is a type of cancer arising from lymphoid
Lymphatic system
The lymphoid system is the part of the immune system comprising a network of conduits called lymphatic vessels that carry a clear fluid called lymph unidirectionally toward the heart. Lymphoid tissue is found in many organs, particularly the lymph nodes, and in the lymphoid follicles associated...
cells
Cell (biology)
The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms. It is the smallest unit of life that is classified as a living thing, and is often called the building block of life. The Alberts text discusses how the "cellular building blocks" move to shape developing embryos....
. In AIDS, the incidences of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, primary cerebral
Telencephalon
The cerebrum or telencephalon, together with the diencephalon, constitutes the forebrain. The cerebrum is the most anterior region of the vertebrate central nervous system. Telencephalon refers to the embryonic structure, from which the mature cerebrum develops...
lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease are all increased.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is present in about 3% of HIVHIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
positive people at the time of their diagnosis of HIV.
Primary cerebral lymphoma
Primary cerebral lymphoma (or primary central nervous system lymphomaPrimary central nervous system lymphoma
A primary central nervous system lymphoma , also known as microglioma and primary brain lymphoma, is a primary intracranial tumor appearing mostly in patients with severe immunosuppression . PCNSLs represent around 20% of all cases of lymphomas in HIV infections...
) is a form of NHL. It is very rare in immunocompetent people, with an incidence of 5–30 cases per million person-years. However the incidence in immunocompromised individuals is greatly increased, up to 100 per million person-years.
Primary cerebral lymphoma is strongly associated with Epstein-Barr virus
Epstein-Barr virus
The Epstein–Barr virus , also called human herpesvirus 4 , is a virus of the herpes family and is one of the most common viruses in humans. It is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis...
(EBV). The presence of EBV DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
in cerebrospinal fluid
Cerebrospinal fluid
Cerebrospinal fluid , Liquor cerebrospinalis, is a clear, colorless, bodily fluid, that occupies the subarachnoid space and the ventricular system around and inside the brain and spinal cord...
is highly suggestive of primary cerebral lymphoma.
Treatment of AIDS patients with antiretroviral drug
Antiretroviral drug
Antiretroviral drugs are medications for the treatment of infection by retroviruses, primarily HIV. When several such drugs, typically three or four, are taken in combination, the approach is known as Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, or HAART...
s reduces the incidence of primary cerebral lymphoma.