Abstract:
Patients with HIV/AIDS are at increased risk for the development
of malignancy. Kaposi’s sarcoma, non-Hodgkin’s
lymphoma and cervical carcinoma in women are regarded
as AIDS-defining malignancies. The spectrum of malignancy
is, however, changing, particularly where patients receive
highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). South Africa has
the highest number of HIV-infected individuals globally. The
possibility of the oral health care worker encountering HIV/
AIDS-related pathology therefore seems inevitable. The aim
of this article is to heighten the awareness of head and neck
malignancies occurring in HIV/AIDS whilst highlighting some
of the clinical features in order to facilitate early recognition
and diagnosis. It is of clinical significance that in many instances,
identification of these malignancies precedes HIV/
AIDS diagnosis. Optimal patient management requires close
co-operation between the oral health care practitioner and
the extended health care team.
