Prostate cancer in people with HIV.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Prostate cancer burden has been rising among people with HIV (PWH), yet it remains understudied in the context of HIV infection. The objective of this review article is to summarize contemporary information on the burden, risk, and outcomes of prostate cancer for people living with HIV.

Recent findings: Despite a lower apparent incidence of prostate cancer in early studies for PWH compared to uninfected persons, this malignancy is now likely to be the most common tumor for US PWH. Tumor characteristics and stage appear to have limited differences by HIV status. The optimal approach to early detection of prostate cancer remains controversial, and there are little HIV-specific data surrounding screening. Prostate cancer outcomes may have been worse for PWH in the early antiretroviral era but may have improved in more recent years.

Summary: Prostate cancer is an increasingly common clinical issue for PWH. Lower than expected incidence rates in the early ART-era may be increasing, and oncologic outcomes may also be improving. Treatment tolerability is still a key question for this patient group. Given the clinical and biological complexity of chronic HIV infection, strategies for both early detection and treatment will need continued evaluation specifically in the setting of HIV.