HIV-Associated Anal Cancer

Anal cancer, despite being a rare malignancy, is increasing in incidence, accounting for 0.5% of all new cancer cases in the United States, with rate of new cases being 1.9 per 100,000 men and women. It is common in immunocompromised individuals, especially those with malignancy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Despite similar treatment of anal cancer in both HIV-positive and negative patients, guidelines for prevention and treatment of therapy-related side effects are rarely studied. While these patients have a better prognosis on HAART, limited guidelines exist regarding appropriate therapy. There is a common link between HPV and HIV and the transmission of one is associated with increased risk of transmission of the other. HPV vaccine which is known to prevent high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia is thought to also decrease the incidence of anal intraepithelial neoplasia. The association of HPV vaccine in the prevention of anal cancer in high-risk groups with HIV is a scarcely studied subject that requires further research.