Lower genital tract neoplasia in women with HIV infection

Women who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at great er risk for the development of lower genital tract neoplasia than are HN-ne gative women. Among HIV-positive women, those who are more severely immunos uppressed appear to be at higher risk for cervical intraepithelial neoplasi a (CIN), also known as squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs). Women who a re AIV-positive also ar-e more likely than HIV-negative women to have multi focal lower genital tract neoplasia, Cervical cancer is one of the most imp ortant acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related malignancies in w omen. Cancer and intraepithelial neoplasia of the lower genital tract can b e persistent, progressive, recurrent, and difficult to treat in HIV-positiv e women, The most effective method for treating SILs has not been determine d. Regular performance of Pap smears in HIV-positive women is of critical i mportance, as is careful examination of the entire lower genital tract. Als o, women with high-grade intraepithelial or cervical cancer should be teste dfor HIV.