HIV-associated non-hodgkin’s lymphomas

Abstract

The aim. Analysis of the development of the disease and complications, similarities and differences in clinical and radiation signs of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (diffuse B-large cell lymphoma, Burkitt’s lymphoma, plasmoblastic lymphoma), both in HIV-positive and immunocompetent patients.

Materials and methods. Within the framework of this study, data obtained by radiological examination methods of 125 patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas who were treated in the period from 2016 to 2023 at the hematology department of the Surgut District Hospital were studied and analyzed.

Results and discussion. In the group of patients with HIV infection, complaints upon admission were most often nonspecific and indicated an inflammatory process. HIV-NHL was characterized by: atypical localization, in most cases it was an extranodal lesion; the development of urgent conditions against the background of lymphoma. During the initial examination, HIVNHL was diagnosed at stage 3–4 of the malignant process. During the dynamic observation, a high frequency of secondary infection was noted: tuberculosis, CMV infection and fungal lesions. In the group of immunocompetent patients, the main location of NHL was the lymph nodes of the mediastinal group, the abdominal cavity. The malignant process was diagnosed mainly at 1–2 stages of the disease. The exception in this group was PBL, which in all cases was detected at stage 4 of the disease, was characterized by a large lesion volume, a high frequency of secondary infections and 100% mortality.

Conclusion. When managing patients with HIV-NHL, it is necessary to perform multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) with intravenous contrast, which is highly sensitive, allows clinicians to accurately assess the extent of tumor spread, plan excisional biopsy, and evaluate the results of treatment.