AIDS-RELATED MALIGNANCIES - CLINICORADIOLOGICAL CORRELATION

Although the etiopathogenetic correlation between AIDS and malignant neoplasm still remains controversial, a number of miscellaneous malignancies have been reported in patients with HIV infection. For Kaposi's sarcoma, B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and carcinoma of the uterine cervix alternatively a concurrent oncoviral infection or dysregulation of cellular growth have been advocated. For all the remaining neoplasms, besides their increased occurrence in other forms of immunodeficiency, we can only speculate a similar pathogenetic origin in consideration of their more aggressive biological behaviour and younger age of occurrence. Our goal is to report the imaging findings of the most frequent HIV-related malignant neoplasms and outline them in relation to their atypical biological and structural behaviour. It is our opinion that a careful evaluation of clinical history and status is mandatory for the proper diagnosis and staging in such pathologies. We also review the current etiopathogenetic theories that attempt to link these two deadly pathologies.