HIV Infection and Carcinoma of the Conjunctiva

Incidence of conjunctiva carcinoma in developed countries has been increasing despite of the introduction of anti-retroviral therapy, Conjunctiva carcinoma as one of the AIDS defining disease is a significant contributor of top ten cancers at ORCI (ORCI cancer trend). Peak incidence occurs in the economically and most sexually active age group. Enucleation, radiotherapy and ARVs is the major treatment modality at ORCI. Studies on the association of between HIV infection and carcinoma of the conjunctiva are available in developed and developing countries but this information is scant in Tanzania. The association of HIV infection and conjunctiva carcinoma is high (significant) in our settings but has not been systematically documented. This study address these gaps.