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. 2022 Jun;22(2):27-36.
doi: 10.4314/ahs.v22i2.4.

Quantifying the relationship of HIV infection with clinicopathological spectrum and outcome among patients with colorectal cancer in a South African population

S K Pillay  1 , Z Moolla  1 , Y Moodley  1   2   3 , T E Madiba  1
Affiliations

Quantifying the relationship of HIV infection with clinicopathological spectrum and outcome among patients with colorectal cancer in a South African population

S K Pillay et al. Afr Health Sci. 2022 Jun.

Abstract

Introduction: Literature is limited on HIV and colorectal cancer (CRC) in sub-Saharan Africa despite it being the epicentre of the HIV epidemic.

Purpose: To compare clinicopathological features and outcome of CRC in HIV-negative and HIV-positive patients.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of a prospective CRC database. Demographic details, HIV status, anatomical site, disease stage, treatment and follow-up were documented.

Results: Of 715 patients with CRC, 145 and 570 tested positive and negative respectively for HIV. Median age was 45 (IQR 36-53 and 57 (IQR 45-66) years among HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients respectively (p<0.0001). Tumour differentiation differed between the two groups (p=0.003) but staging was not different (p=0.6). Surgical resection rate was 52% for HIV-positive patients versus 59% for HIV-negative patients (p=0.07). Median follow-up was 9 (IQR 2-20.5) months for HIV-positive patients and 12 (IQR 6-29) months for HIV-negative patients (p=0.154). Recurrence rate was 14.7% among HIV positive patients and 6.8% in HIV negative patients (p=0.089).

Conclusion: When compared with HIV-negative patients, HIV-positive patients with CRC presented at a younger age and tended to have lower surgical resection rates. There was no difference between the two groups with CRC in terms of anatomical sub-site distribution, disease staging and recurrence rates.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer; HIV; Outcome; colon cancer; rectal cancer.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Age distribution of HIV positive and negative patients with colorectal cancer
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flow diagram showing sample derivation patients with colorectal cancer stratified according to HIV status
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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