Skin Cancers in People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> The advent of combination antiretroviral therapy has led to significant reductions in HIV-related morbidity and mortality and, conversely, an increasing incidence of chronic diseases, such as cancer. This study aimed to assess the incidence of skin malignancies in a cohort of people living with HIV (PLWH) compared to HIV-uninfected individuals (HUPs). <b>Methods</b>: Between April 2023 and April 2025, PLWH attending the Infectious Disease Unit at Policlinico of Foggia, Italy, were invited for skin cancer screening (cases). During the same period, patients visiting the Dermatology Unit were asked to undergo skin cancer screening and a rapid HIV test. Those who tested negative were included as controls. Suspicious lesions were surgically excised at the Plastic Surgery University Unit and examined by a dermatopathologist. <b>Results:</b> We enrolled 91 cases and 91 controls. Precancerous and cancerous skin lesions were detected at similar rates in PLWH and HUPs (12% vs. 13.2% and 7.6% vs. 8.7%). The total number of cancerous and precancerous lesions was higher in the PLWH group. In both groups, basal cell carcinoma was the most common tumor. Squamous cell carcinoma, basosquamous carcinoma, and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans were found only in PLWH. <b>Conclusions</b>: The higher risk of multiple and rare skin cancers in PLWH should be recognized by healthcare providers and patients. PLWH should have regular skin cancer screenings, especially if they have additional risk factors such as a history of extensive ultraviolet radiation exposure.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2025-09-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14186447
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
4.01
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article

Skin Cancers in People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection

Cristina Pizzulli, Francesca Sanguedolce, C Grillo, Fedele Lembo et al.
2 citations
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders research
4.01
article

Skin Cancers in People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection

Cristina Pizzulli, Francesca Sanguedolce, C Grillo, Fedele Lembo, Aurelio Portincasa, Piergiorgio Di Tullio, Paolo Romita, Domenico Parisi, Giulia Ciccarese, Liberato Roberto Cecchino, Caterina Foti, Sergio Lo Caputo, Sergio Ferrara, Francesco Drago
article en
2 citations

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> The advent of combination antiretroviral therapy has led to significant reductions in HIV-related morbidity and mortality and, conversely, an increasing incidence of chronic diseases, such as cancer. This study aimed to assess the incidence of skin malignancies in a cohort of people living with HIV (PLWH) compared to HIV-uninfected individuals (HUPs). <b>Methods</b>: Between April 2023 and April 2025, PLWH attending the Infectious Disease Unit at Policlinico of Foggia, Italy, were invited for skin cancer screening (cases). During the same period, patients visiting the Dermatology Unit were asked to undergo skin cancer screening and a rapid HIV test. Those who tested negative were included as controls. Suspicious lesions were surgically excised at the Plastic Surgery University Unit and examined by a dermatopathologist. <b>Results:</b> We enrolled 91 cases and 91 controls. Precancerous and cancerous skin lesions were detected at similar rates in PLWH and HUPs (12% vs. 13.2% and 7.6% vs. 8.7%). The total number of cancerous and precancerous lesions was higher in the PLWH group. In both groups, basal cell carcinoma was the most common tumor. Squamous cell carcinoma, basosquamous carcinoma, and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans were found only in PLWH. <b>Conclusions</b>: The higher risk of multiple and rare skin cancers in PLWH should be recognized by healthcare providers and patients. PLWH should have regular skin cancer screenings, especially if they have additional risk factors such as a history of extensive ultraviolet radiation exposure.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 14(18)
University of Foggia (IT), Ospedali Riuniti di Foggia (IT), Casa di Cura Villa Garda (IT), University of Bari Aldo Moro (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 6%
Cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders research
4.01
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