Metachronous primary carcinomas of the lung in an HIV-infected patient

Studies have suggested that human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) patients have an increased risk of developing primary lung cancer, with a poor prognosis. We report a 59-year-old HIV-seropositive man who developed two metachronous primary bronchogenic carcinomas with different histologic features. The initial tumor was cured after early diagnosis and resection, with subsequent development of a contralateral tumor 6 years later. The case emphasizes that early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer in HIV/AIDS patients should be sought as they may improve their short-term prognosis. However, because of their immunocompromised state, extended survival is still limited by a higher likelihood of developing subsequent malignancies.