Non-lymphomatous brain tumors in HIV-1 infection: a review

A broad spectrum of malignant tumors affecting various organ systems in HIV -1 infected patients have been described in larger series. Intracerebral ma ss lesions encountered in HIV-1 infection are mostly due to toxoplasmosis a nd central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma. Brain tumors (excluding lymphomas ) occurring in HIV-1 infected patients have only occasionally been describe d. The present review summarizes these diverse tumor entities and reports o n the controversial theories of a possible oncogenic potential of HIV-1. Al though rare, intracerebral tumors must be considered in the differential di agnosis of an intracranial space-occupying lesion in an HIV-1 infected pati ent.