Lung carcinoma in 36 patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection

BACKGROUND. The current study describes the clinicopathologic characteristi cs of 36 patients with lung carcinoma and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV ) infection observed within the Italian Cooperative Group on AIDS and Tumor s (GICAT). METHODS. Patients with lung carcinoma and HIV infection collected by the GI CAT between 1986-1998 were evaluated retrospectively. As a control group, t he authors analyzed 102 patients age < 60 years with lung carcinoma but wit hout HIV infection who were seen at the CRO, National Cancer Institute, Avi ano, Italy between 1995-1996. RESULTS. Patients with lung carcinoma and HIV infection were younger (38 ye ars vs. 53 years) and previously smoked more cigarettes per day (40 vs. 20) than the control group. The main histologic subtype was adenocarcinoma. TN M Stage III-TV disease was observed in 53% of the patients. The median CD4 cell count was 150/mm(3). The median overall survival was significantly sho rter 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 carcino ma in the HIV setting affects mainly young individuals with a history of he avy tobacco smoking and a moderately advanced immunodeficiency status. Lung carcinoma is associated with a more adverse outcome in HIV patients and re presents the cause of death in the majority of these patients. (C) 2000 Ame rican Cancer Society.