HIV-associated non-Hodgkin lymphoma - Incidence, presentation, and prognosis

Patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated non-Hodg kin lymphoma often present with multiple poor prognostic features, includin g significant tumor burden, advanced immunosuppression, and other concurren t morbidities, Strategies to manage such complex multiple-disease cases hav e often incorporated the assumption that prospects for long-term survival a re poor and that intensive therapy cannot be tolerated and so is not justif ied. Since the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy-for human imm unodeficiency virus infection, life expectancy has improved substantially f or patients in whom the virus can be successfully suppressed. Thus, for com plicated cases involving AIDS-associated malignancy, a reassess ment of tre atment strategies and the potential for long-term survival is warranted. He re, we present the case of a patient with poor prognosis due to AIDS-associ ated lymphoma with leptomeningeal involvement, advanced immunosuppression, and deep venous thrombosis. The management of this case illustrates that a multidisciplinary approach to complex AIDS cases involving malignancy and c oncurrent morbidity can result in a return to functional health in affected patients. Successful strategies for achieving favorable outcomes currently exist with available therapies.