Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) is a com- mon cancer in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- infected population, and its incidence continues to in- crease in male homosexuals. Combined chemoradiatio...Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) is a com- mon cancer in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- infected population, and its incidence continues to in- crease in male homosexuals. Combined chemoradiation with mitomycin C and 5-fiuorouracil was poorly tolerated by severely immunocompromised patients in the early 1990s. In the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), however, recent data indicate that: (1) most HIV patients with anal cancer can tolerate standard chemotherapy regimens; and (2) this approach is associ- ated with survival rates similar to those of HIV-negative patients. However, HIV-positive patients with SCCA are much younger, more likely to develop local tumor recur- rence, and ultimately die from anal cancer than immune competent patients. Taken together, these findings suggest that anal cancer is an often fatal neoplasia in mid- dle-aged HIV-positive male homosexuals. In this popula- tion, SCCA is an opportunistic disease resulting in patients with suboptimal immune function from persistent infection and prolonged exposition to oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Large-scale cancer-prevention strategies (routine anuscopy and anal papanicolaou test- ing) should be implemented in this population. In addi- tion, definitive eradication of oncogenic HPVs within the anogenital mucosa of high-risk individuals might require a proactive approach with repeated vaccination.展开更多
文摘Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) is a com- mon cancer in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)- infected population, and its incidence continues to in- crease in male homosexuals. Combined chemoradiation with mitomycin C and 5-fiuorouracil was poorly tolerated by severely immunocompromised patients in the early 1990s. In the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), however, recent data indicate that: (1) most HIV patients with anal cancer can tolerate standard chemotherapy regimens; and (2) this approach is associ- ated with survival rates similar to those of HIV-negative patients. However, HIV-positive patients with SCCA are much younger, more likely to develop local tumor recur- rence, and ultimately die from anal cancer than immune competent patients. Taken together, these findings suggest that anal cancer is an often fatal neoplasia in mid- dle-aged HIV-positive male homosexuals. In this popula- tion, SCCA is an opportunistic disease resulting in patients with suboptimal immune function from persistent infection and prolonged exposition to oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs). Large-scale cancer-prevention strategies (routine anuscopy and anal papanicolaou test- ing) should be implemented in this population. In addi- tion, definitive eradication of oncogenic HPVs within the anogenital mucosa of high-risk individuals might require a proactive approach with repeated vaccination.