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Lung carcinoma in 36 patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection
Author(s) -
Tirelli Umberto,
Spina Michele,
Sandri Simonetta,
Serraino Diego,
Gobitti Carlo,
Fasan Marco,
Sinicco Alessandro,
Garavelli Pierluigi,
Ridolfo Anna Lisa,
Vaccher Emanuela
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0142(20000201)88:3<563::aid-cncr11>3.0.co;2-d
Subject(s) - medicine , lung cancer , carcinoma , adenocarcinoma , lung , stage (stratigraphy) , gastroenterology , immunodeficiency , cancer , immunology , paleontology , immune system , biology
BACKGROUND The current study describes the clinicopathologic characteristics of 36 patients with lung carcinoma and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection observed within the Italian Cooperative Group on AIDS and Tumors (GICAT). METHODS Patients with lung carcinoma and HIV infection collected by the GICAT between 1986–1998 were evaluated retrospectively. As a control group, the authors analyzed 102 patients age < 60 years with lung carcinoma but without HIV infection who were seen at the CRO, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy between 1995–1996. RESULTS Patients with lung carcinoma and HIV infection were younger (38 years vs. 53 years) and previously smoked more cigarettes per day (40 vs. 20) than the control group. The main histologic subtype was adenocarcinoma. TNM Stage III–IV disease was observed in 53% of the patients. The median CD4 cell count was 150/mm 3 . The median overall survival was significantly shorter in the patients with HIV compared with the control group (5 months vs. 10 months; P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS The results of the current study demonstrate that lung carcinoma in the HIV setting affects mainly young individuals with a history of heavy tobacco smoking and a moderately advanced immunodeficiency status. Lung carcinoma is associated with a more adverse outcome in HIV patients and represents the cause of death in the majority of these patients. Cancer 2000;88:563–9. © 2000 American Cancer Society.