Skip to content
DraconiticResearch
Search Sources API
201,683 studies31 sourcesUpdated 19 min ago
Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Frontiers in Oncology

Burden, patterns, and challenges of HIV-associated malignancies in Nigeria: a narrative review

  • Olugbenga Silas1
  • Chuwang Nyam1
  • Yop Tsok1
  • Michael Eshioramine1
  • Noel Nnaegbuna1
  • William Golit2
  • Adeyemi Okunowo3
  • Chidubem Osuagwu4
  • Juliet Offor5
  • Izu Achusi6
  • Tolu Beneye6
  • Maradona Isikhuemen7
11 more authors
  • Victor Ekanem7
  • Lawson Ekpe8
  • Patience Odusolu9
  • Andrea Akinjo10
  • TAGCReC
  • Fatima Rasheed
  • Folusakin Ayoade11
  • Bala Audu11
  • Ahmed Saad12
  • Ayodele Omotoso4
  • Sophia George11
12 affiliations
  1. 1University of Jos
  2. 2Plateau State Specialist Hospital
  3. 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos
  4. 4National Obstetric Fistula Centre
  5. 5Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Federal Medical Center
  6. 6Department of Pathology, Federal Medical Center
  7. 7University of Benin Teaching Hospital
  8. 8Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Calabar
  9. 9Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Calabar
  10. 10Department of Anatomic and Molecular Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos
  11. 11Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
  12. 12Federal University of Health and Science
Read full textPDFDOICite

Abstract

Background: Nigeria bears one of the world’s largest burdens of HIV, with ongoing expansion of antiretroviral therapy (ART) significantly improving the survival of people living with HIV (PLHIV). This epidemiologic shift has changed the pattern of morbidity and mortality toward chronic conditions, especially HIV-associated malignancies (HIVAMs), including both AIDS-defining malignancies (ADMs) and non-AIDS-defining malignancies (NADMs). Despite their increasing significance, the national burden, patterns, and systemic challenges related to HIVAMs in Nigeria remain poorly understood and characterized.

Methods: We conducted a narrative review of peer-reviewed literature, cancer registry reports, and grey literature published between January 2000 and December 2024. Searches were carried out in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar, complemented by national reports from the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the National System of Cancer Registries. Eligible sources reported cancer occurrence among PLHIV or HIV prevalence among cancer patients in Nigeria. Findings were synthesized narratively due to significant heterogeneity across study designs and outcomes.

Results: Seventy-three sources met the inclusion criteria, and these were primarily hospital-based and retrospective studies. ADMs remain the most common cancers among PLHIV, notably invasive cervical cancer, Kaposi sarcoma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with notable regional differences. Expansion of ART has been linked to a decline in Kaposi sarcoma incidence, while the burden of cervical cancer remains high, driven by persistent oncogenic HPV infection and limited screening coverage among women living with HIV (WLWH). Emerging NADMs, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, breast cancer, and ocular surface squamous neoplasia, reflect improved survival, aging, chronic immune dysregulation, and co-infections like Hepatitis B and C. Across these cancers, late-stage presentation and poor outcomes are common, largely due to fragmented HIV–cancer surveillance, inadequate pathology and radiotherapy capacity, limited molecular diagnostics, high out-of-pocket treatment costs, and weak integration of HIV and oncology services.

Conclusion: HIV-associated cancers pose a major yet often overlooked public health issue in Nigeria. Enhancing integrated HIV–cancer surveillance, increasing prevention and early detection efforts through ART programs, upgrading diagnostic and treatment facilities, and utilizing digital and molecular innovations are essential for decreasing preventable cancer-related morbidity and mortality among PLHIV in Nigeria.

Related

  1. Psychological Burden and Mental Health Challenges Associated with Occupational Exposure to Zoonotic Pathogens: A Narrative Review and One Health Perspective
    Carlos Ramiro Silva-Ramos, Saúl Perdomo Cristancho, Yojana Estefany Martínez Hernández +3
    Tropical medicine and infectious diseasePeer-reviewedCC BYFull textGeneral medicineEurope PMC
  2. Epidemiological patterns and factors associated with mortality among diphtheria cases in Kano State, Nigeria (2022-2025): A retrospective cohort study
    P. W. Wekunda, O. Ogunbode, O. Okunromade
    medRxivPreprintCC BYFull textEpidemiology & public healthmedRxiv
  3. CAR T-Cell Therapy in Hematological Malignancies: Mechanisms, Innovations, and Challenges
    Alaa A. A. Aljabali, Mohammad A. Obeid, Abdelrahim Alqudah +9
    CancersPeer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Full textOncologyCrossrefEurope PMC
  4. Andrographolide in hematological malignancies: potential mechanisms and translational challenges
    Tiantian Wang, Yulu Wang, Haiyun Liu +2
    Frontiers in PharmacologyPeer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Full textPharmacology & toxicologyCrossrefEurope PMCEurope PMCPMC
  5. Patterns and determinants of antimalarial drug use and treatment adherence in Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.
    Saheed Adeyinka Odediji, L O Busari, Kazeem Olanrewaju Amoo +4
    BMJ global healthPeer-reviewedCC BY-NCFull textEpidemiology & public healthEurope PMC

Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{silas2026burden,
  title = {{Burden, patterns, and challenges of HIV-associated malignancies in Nigeria: a narrative review}},
  author = {Olugbenga Silas and Chuwang Nyam and Yop Tsok and Michael Eshioramine and Noel Nnaegbuna and William Golit and Adeyemi Okunowo and Chidubem Osuagwu and Juliet Offor and Izu Achusi and Tolu Beneye and Maradona Isikhuemen and Victor Ekanem and Lawson Ekpe and Patience Odusolu and Andrea Akinjo and TAGCReC and Fatima Rasheed and Folusakin Ayoade and Bala Audu and Ahmed Saad and Ayodele Omotoso and Sophia George},
  journal = {Frontiers in Oncology},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/fonc.2026.1959750},
  url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2026.1959750/full},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Burden, patterns, and challenges of HIV-associated malignancies in Nigeria: a narrative review
AU  - Olugbenga Silas
AU  - Chuwang Nyam
AU  - Yop Tsok
AU  - Michael Eshioramine
AU  - Noel Nnaegbuna
AU  - William Golit
AU  - Adeyemi Okunowo
AU  - Chidubem Osuagwu
AU  - Juliet Offor
AU  - Izu Achusi
AU  - Tolu Beneye
AU  - Maradona Isikhuemen
AU  - Victor Ekanem
AU  - Lawson Ekpe
AU  - Patience Odusolu
AU  - Andrea Akinjo
AU  - TAGCReC
AU  - Fatima Rasheed
AU  - Folusakin Ayoade
AU  - Bala Audu
AU  - Ahmed Saad
AU  - Ayodele Omotoso
AU  - Sophia George
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/16
JO  - Frontiers in Oncology
DO  - 10.3389/fonc.2026.1959750
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2026.1959750/full
AB  - Background: Nigeria bears one of the world’s largest burdens of HIV, with ongoing expansion of antiretroviral therapy (ART) significantly improving the survival of people living with HIV (PLHIV). This epidemiologic shift has changed the pattern of morbidity and mortality toward chronic conditions, especially HIV-associated malignancies (HIVAMs), including both AIDS-defining malignancies (ADMs) and non-AIDS-defining malignancies (NADMs). Despite their increasing significance, the national burden, patterns, and systemic challenges related to HIVAMs in Nigeria remain poorly understood and characterized.  Methods: We conducted a narrative review of peer-reviewed literature, cancer registry reports, and grey literature published between January 2000 and December 2024. Searches were carried out in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar, complemented by national reports from the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, the Federal Ministry of Health, and the National System of Cancer Registries. Eligible sources reported cancer occurrence among PLHIV or HIV prevalence among cancer patients in Nigeria. Findings were synthesized narratively due to significant heterogeneity across study designs and outcomes.  Results: Seventy-three sources met the inclusion criteria, and these were primarily hospital-based and retrospective studies. ADMs remain the most common cancers among PLHIV, notably invasive cervical cancer, Kaposi sarcoma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with notable regional differences. Expansion of ART has been linked to a decline in Kaposi sarcoma incidence, while the burden of cervical cancer remains high, driven by persistent oncogenic HPV infection and limited screening coverage among women living with HIV (WLWH). Emerging NADMs, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, breast cancer, and ocular surface squamous neoplasia, reflect improved survival, aging, chronic immune dysregulation, and co-infections like Hepatitis B and C. Across these cancers, late-stage presentation and poor outcomes are common, largely due to fragmented HIV–cancer surveillance, inadequate pathology and radiotherapy capacity, limited molecular diagnostics, high out-of-pocket treatment costs, and weak integration of HIV and oncology services.  Conclusion: HIV-associated cancers pose a major yet often overlooked public health issue in Nigeria. Enhancing integrated HIV–cancer surveillance, increasing prevention and early detection efforts through ART programs, upgrading diagnostic and treatment facilities, and utilizing digital and molecular innovations are essential for decreasing preventable cancer-related morbidity and mortality among PLHIV in Nigeria.
SN  - 2234-943X
ER  -