title: Lower genital tract neoplasia in women with HIV infection.
abstract: Women who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at greater risk for the development of lower genital tract neoplasia than are HIV-negative women. Among HIV-positive women, those who are more severely immunosuppressed appear to be at higher risk for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), also known as squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs). Women who are HIV-positive also are more likely than HIV-negative women to have multifocal lower genital tract neoplasia. Cervical cancer is one of the most important acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)--related malignancies in women. Cancer and intraepithelial neoplasia of the lower genital tract can be persistent, progressive, recurrent, and difficult to treat in HIV-positive women. The most effective method for treating SILs has not been determined. Regular performance of Pap smears in HIV-positive women is of critical importance, as is careful examination of the entire lower genital tract. Also, women with high-grade intraepithelial or cervical cancer should be tested for HIV.
authors.affiliation: UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, San Francisco General Hospital, California, USA.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Abercrombie
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Korn
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000150:complications; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology