Ocular surface squamous neoplasia in patients with HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa.
Abstract
Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) in sub-Saharan countries is an aggressive tumor that affects younger patients and appears to be increasing in incidence. There are data to suggest the association of this disease with solar radiation exposure, HIV, and human papilloma virus (HPV). This trend possibly reflects the association of the high incidence of HIV, concomitant high incidence of exposure to HPV, and the solar radiation exposure that people in this region of the world receive. We undertook a PubMed search with the terms 'ocular surface squamous neoplasia', 'conjunctival carcinoma', 'HIV' and 'HPV', and 'sub-Saharan/Africa' to ascertain the scope of the problem and to review the available data, with an emphasis on publications of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010. There is increasing evidence of a significant association between HIV seropositivity and OSSN. The role of HPV as contributing to the cause of OSSN is being investigated. Patients with conjunctival cancer in sub-Saharan Africa are typically younger and more than 50% have underlying HIV infection. Initial presentation can be asymptomatic; however, many of these patients have advanced disease before they seek medical help and OSSN appears to have a more aggre...Continue Reading
References
Citations
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Antivirals
Antivirals are medications that are used specifically for treating viral infections. Discover the latest research on antivirals here.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Basal cell carcinoma is a form of malignant skin cancer found on the head and neck regions and has low rates of metastasis. Discover the latest research on basal cell carcinoma here.
Antivirals (ASM)
Antivirals are medications that are used specifically for treating viral infections. Discover the latest research on antivirals here.