HIV and Cancer
HIV causes the immune system to become weaker over time. This can put people living with HIV (PLWH) at an increased risk of many types of cancer.
How HIV increases cancer risk
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in PLWH.
HIV damages the immune system, making it harder for the body to detect and get rid of abnormal cells and infections.
PLWH are more likely to have other viruses that might cause cancer, such as human papillomavirus (HPV), human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8 or KSHV), hepatitis B or C virus (HBV or HCV), or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Most of these viruses are transmitted the same way as HIV, and having a suppressed immune system makes it harder for your body to fight them.
PLWH are more likely to have other cancer risk factors, like tobacco and alcohol use and substance use disorders.
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining cancers
Immune system damage caused by HIV can allow opportunistic cancers to develop, which include Kaposi sarcoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and cervical cancer.
These are also called AIDS-defining cancers because they are considered a sign that a person has progressed to AIDS. With the development of anti-retroviral therapy (ART), fewer PLWH are progressing to AIDS. This has led to a decrease in the rates of AIDS-defining cancers.
HHV-8, also known as Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), is a virus that does not seem to cause disease in people with healthy immune systems. However, in PLWH, HHV-8 infection is much more likely to lead to a cancer called Kaposi sarcoma (KS). This is how most cases of KS form in the United States.
KS develops from the cells that line lymph or blood vessels. It causes dark purple, red, or brown spots, called lesions, on the skin or in the mouth. KS might also affect other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, and digestive tract. KS can be much more serious when it affects internal organs.
Treatment
For someone with AIDS-related KS, taking ART allows their immune function to improve and might shrink KS lesions. For some, ART might be the only treatment needed. For people with more advanced disease or whose disease does not respond to ART alone, other treatments for KS might be needed, such as local treatments, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.
is a cancer that affects called lymphocytes, which are part of the immune system.
There are many different types of NHL, but certain fast-growing types are more common in PLWH. These include:
- Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
- Burkitt’s lymphoma
- Central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma
- Some lymphomas linked with viruses, especially EBV
Treatment
Treatment for AIDS-related NHL depends on the type and stage of NHL but usually involves chemotherapy. Treatment is usually the same as for people with NHL who don’t have HIV.
Learn more in .
is cancer of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus (womb). Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by infection with .
People with a cervix who are infected with both HIV and HPV are at higher risk for developing precancers in their cervix than those with just HPV. Cervical precancers in PLWH are more likely to develop into invasive cancer more quickly.
Treatment and prevention
If any precancers are found, they should be treated by .
Talk with your health care team about that can help prevent HPV infection and some cancers linked to it.
Non-AIDS-defining cancers
PLWH can develop the same types of cancer as people without HIV. However, they are often diagnosed at a younger age or at a later stage when treatment is less likely to be successful. These cancers include:
- Anal cancer
- Hodgkin lymphoma (Hodgkin disease)
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Mouth and throat cancers
- Some types of skin cancer
What can PLWH do to lower their cancer risk?
Antiretroviral therapy (ART): One of the most important ways that PLWH can lower their risk of cancer is to stay on their ART medicines to help keep HIV under control. This can greatly decrease the risk of AIDS and cancer.
Vaccines: It is important for PLWH to get vaccinated against viruses that can cause cancer, such as HPV and HBV. These are needed if the PLWH hasn’t been vaccinated and is not already infected with those viruses.
Get tested and treated for hepatitis virus infections: This can help lower the risk of liver cancer.
Quit tobacco and stay away from secondhand smoke: This can help decrease your risk of lung and other cancers.
Limit how much alcohol you drink: Drinking alcohol is known to increase the risk of several types of cancer.
PLWH should try to follow healthy living steps that might lower their risk of cancer. These include:
- Getting to and staying at a healthy weight
- Getting regular physical activity
- Eating a healthy diet
- Limiting exposure to the sun
Finding cancer early in PLWH
Screening is testing for diseases such as cancer in people without symptoms to try to find them early. Not all cancers can be screened for, including Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Still, regular medical checkups might help find signs or symptoms of these cancers before they become too advanced.
Stigma might make PLWH put off getting screened or seeking health care, which can lead to cancer being found at a later stage, when treatment is less likely to be successful. It can help to use who are dedicated to creating a stigma-free environment.
The same cancer screening tests are recommended for PLWH as for people without HIV. The 黑料大湿Posts Cancer Society and other organizations have ?screening guidelines for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers.
Cervical cancer screening
For people who have a cervix, cervical cancer can often be found early or even prevented by getting regular screening tests.
PLWH should be screened as soon as possible after being diagnosed with HIV. How often screening is needed depends on the results of the first screening test.
Anal cancer screening
PLWH might benefit from anal cancer screening. Screening is done using a screening test very much like cervical cancer screening, with samples taken from cells lining the anus.
Cancer treatment in people with HIV or AIDS
In general, PLWH who develop cancer should be given the same cancer treatment as people without HIV. The cancer treatment is based on the type and stage (extent) of the cancer.
Treatment of both HIV and cancer can be complex, so it is very important that cancer doctors (oncologists) and HIV specialists work closely together.
ART and cancer treatment
PLWH need to continue their ART while getting cancer treatments. ART allows many PLWH who have cancer to get full doses of chemotherapy and other standard cancer treatments.
In some cases, oncologists and HIV specialists might work together and decide that ART should be changed to decrease interactions between the cancer treatment and the HIV treatment.
Other considerations
PLWH might need additional care and medicines to support them during cancer treatment, such as medicines to help keep their immune system working and to prevent infections. This extra care allows PLWH to have better outcomes and survival.
Even with standard cancer treatments, PLWH are still more likely to die from many common types of cancer than people without HIV. Lower survival rates might be related to weakened immune systems, not finding the cancer until it is more advanced, delays in cancer treatment, or trouble getting cancer care.
- Written by
- References
The 黑料大湿Posts Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as editors and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
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Last Revised: April 15, 2026
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