During a routine checkup, Nurse Marianne assesses a male client with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) for signs and symptoms of cancer. What is the most common AIDS-related cancer?
A. Squamous cell carcinoma
B. Multiple myeloma
C. Leukemia
D. Kaposi’s sarcoma
Correct Answer: D. Kaposi’s sarcoma
Kaposi’s sarcoma is the most common cancer associated with AIDS.
Option A: It is suggested that the immune-suppression results in co-infection with the papilloma virus. The immunosuppression causes reduction in the effectiveness of the immune surveillance system resulting in growth of the tumor.
Option B: Multiple myeloma is a very uncommon neoplasm complicating HIV infection but when it occurs, it is associated with an aggressive course and a worse prognosis.
Option C: Untreated HIV infection causes AIDS and this major impairment in the immune system is associated with an increased risk of cancer, including a number of “solid tumor” cancers and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but also Hodgkin lymphoma, myeloma, and leukemia.