HIV related to Cancer?

Question

Yesterday, my girlfriend told me that her mother wanted to get her tested for HIV because she (her mother) thought it would eventually lead to Cancer. That made me quite mad for several reasons. 1. I am almost certain the two aren’t alike in any way. HIV is a virus; Cancer is a group of abnormal cells. 2. That her mother would even think that I have HIV because she is the only partner I have ever been with. And 3, the fact that were are both 16 and smart when it comes to intimacy, I.E condoms. I am asking this question merely to prove to myself that I didn't just feed my girlfriend a bunch of lies by giving her an explanation of what they two things are and how vastly different they are from each other. In short, is HIV related to cancer in any way and can HIV progress to a cancerous state?

Answer 1

In terms of what her mother likely meant: you are correct, her mother isn't. As someone else mentioned, she is probably thinking of HPV, which is almost always the inciting agent responsible for cervical cancer (this is not to say that all HPV infection causes cervical cancer, just that when it does occur, it is HPV-related...that's for another discussion).

That said, techinically, HIV is associated with some malignancies. It weakens the immune system and allows cancer-causing viruses (like HPV) to exert more influence and lead to malignant changes. Notable HIV-associated cancers are Kaposi's sarcoma, some forms of lymphoma, and, again due to HPV over-activity, cervical cancer.

Answer 2

You are probably confusing HPV and HIV. HIV causes AIDS, but it does make some infected people more succeptable to certain types of cancer. So it does not cause it directly, but there is a link, see below. HPV, on the other hand, does cause cancer. I have a tumor in my tonsil that metastawized in the lymph nodes on my neck due to HPV. It is also the cause of cervical cancer in women and can cause anal and penile cancers in men. The good news for you, if you want to call it that, is that HPV related cancers respond well to treatment and the expectation is that you will be cured, not just in remission. The bad part is that treatment sucks big time. If you want to chat more about the road ahead, send me a message with your email address, and I would be happy to answer any questions you have. I finished my treatment, chemo followed by radiation, in January and am just now starting to feel like I am turning the corner in my recovery. There is still a long way to go though.

Answer 3

This is sort of a complicated answer. The thing is, HIV can't lead to cancer, but HIV can turn into AIDS, which can cause a certain type of cancer that only AIDS patients get (Kaposi's Sarcoma). So, on the one hand, you are technically right because you are referring to strictly HIV leading to cancer. But, on the other hand, in a chain of events, HIV could lead to AIDS, which leads to a certain type of cancer.

P.S. If you don't have HIV at all, then why did the discussion come up at all? Her mother then, doesn't have to worry about her daughter getting AIDS related cancer if she isn't even HIV+. That's just rude to you, assuming you may have given your girlfriend HIV.

Answer 4

Advanced HIV can cause some serious cancer...anything pretty much can be caused by HIV it seems like that it sucks the life out of the immune system and the body thus making illnesses like cancer more possible because of the bodies deficiency to fight off illnesses.

Why are you also havin' intercourse if you are 16?

im 16 and I still haven't kissed a girl

hahahaha

Answer 5

Human papilomar virus (HPV) can be sexually transmitted and is the leading cause of cervical cancer in women. One of the parts of the human body it can infect is the throat. Do you use a condom on your tongue?

Just recently a vaccine has come out that can prevent it. Some religious types think the vaccine will encourage people to misbehave.

Answer 6

Certain types of cancers, particularly Kaposi's Sarcoma are prevalent in people with AIDS and are a common cause of death.

Answer 7

No.

I'm sure what her mother meant was she wanted to get her tested for HPV.....which does lead to cervical cancer.

Answer 8

well most likely she was thinking of HPV, though with advanced AIDS you can develop cancer

Answer 9

I agree