Which opportunistic cancer is strongly associated with HIV/AIDS?

AIIMS CRE 2025

Medical Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS CRE 2025

Explanation

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a vascular neoplasm that is considered an AIDS-defining illness.
It is caused by Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and its development is strongly linked to the severe immunosuppression characteristic of advanced HIV infection.
Clinically, it presents as purplish, red, or brown lesions on the skin, mucous membranes, or internal organs.
The incidence of KS has significantly decreased with the widespread use of effective Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), which restores immune function.

Option A: Leukemia is a cancer of the blood-forming tissues. While some studies suggest a slightly higher risk in people with HIV, it is not classified as a classic AIDS-defining opportunistic cancer like Kaposi's sarcoma.
Option C: Lung cancer risk is elevated in the HIV population, but this is primarily due to a higher prevalence of risk factors like smoking and chronic inflammation, rather than being a direct result of an opportunistic pathogen exploiting a weakened immune system.
Option D: There is no strong, direct link establishing colon cancer as an opportunistic malignancy associated with HIV/AIDS. Its incidence is not significantly increased due to immunosuppression in the way that KS is.

Visual 1: Image: Characteristic purplish-brown, nodular skin lesions of Kaposi's sarcoma on a patient's lower extremities. This helps visualize the classic clinical presentation.
Visual 2: Diagram: Pathogenesis of Kaposi's Sarcoma, showing how HHV-8 infection in the context of HIV-induced immunosuppression leads to uncontrolled proliferation of endothelial cells.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of AIDS-defining opportunistic cancers as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Recognizing Kaposi's sarcoma is crucial for nurses as it is an AIDS-defining illness, signaling severe immunodeficiency and the need for immediate initiation or adjustment of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).
Nursing care involves a holistic approach, managing not only the physical lesions (skin integrity, pain) but also the significant psychosocial distress and body image issues that can arise from the visible nature of the cancer.
Patient education on strict adherence to ART is a key nursing role, as effective viral suppression is the most important treatment for KS, often leading to lesion regression.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key concepts in the question: 'opportunistic cancer' and 'HIV/AIDS'. This directs you to think about illnesses that specifically arise due to a weakened immune system in this patient population.
Scan the options. You are looking for a cancer that is known to be an 'AIDS-defining condition'.
Recall or deduce the relationship between each cancer and HIV. Leukemia, lung cancer, and colon cancer are not primarily caused by opportunistic pathogens that thrive in immunocompromised states.
Recognize Kaposi's sarcoma as the classic example of an AIDS-defining malignancy, strongly linked to HHV-8 infection in the setting of severe immunosuppression.
Select Kaposi's sarcoma as it directly fits the criteria of an opportunistic cancer strongly associated with HIV/AIDS.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Qch-gAKouAq1wDiXVDiZqC