Prostate adenocarcinoma and human immunodeficiency virus: Report of three cases and review of the literature

The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute tolerance to definitive external-beam radiation therapy (RT; EBRT) in patients with prostate adenocarcinoma and HIV and to review the published literature for this population. Three patients with prostate adenocarcinoma and HIV were treated with definitive RT. Medical records were reviewed for prostate cancer and HIV characteristics, RT details, and acute toxicity. A review of the published literature was performed for epidemiology, management, and outcome of these patients. All 3 patients had excellent acute tolerance to definitive EBRT and, with short follow-up, all had decreasing prostate-specific antigen levels. The published literature regarding patients with prostate adenocarcinoma and HIV is scarce but suggests that men with HIV might be at higher risk of developing prostate cancer. External-beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy, and surgery have all been used in the management of these patients. All 3 patients with prostate adenocarcinoma and HIV had an excellent acute tolerance to EBRT. Prostate cancer is expected to become an increasingly important health problem for men infected with HIV as their life expectancy lengthens.