AIDS and Brain Tumors

With increased longevity of the HIV-infected population, the spectrum of disease is changing in clinical practice. The so-called “rare AIDS-defining diseases” and the “non-AIDS defining diseases” are being diagnosed more frequently. Findings suggest that clinically relevant neurological disease occurs in 10–20% of AIDS patients, with intracranial mass lesions accounting for nearly half of cases. Toxoplasma infection is the most common cause of these mass lesions, followed by primary CNS lymphoma. Although brain tumors are rarely seen in AIDS patients, recent literature suggests that glial tumors occur at a rate 45 times greater in AIDS patients compared with the non-AIDS population. This observation mandates a definitive diagnosis of intracranial pathology before initiation of any treatment. This article explores the correlation of brain tumors and AIDS as well as discusses methods for establishing a differential diagnosis and treatment options for this patient population.