Re: Anal cancer

Issue: BCMJ, vol. 44, No. 10, December 2002, Page 525 Letters
By: Natasha Press, MD, FRCPC Elissa Press, BA Gil Kimel, MSc Robert S. Hogg, PhD Julio S.G. Montaner, MD

In September 2002 we published a review article on anal cancer in HIV-positive men (Anal cancer and human papillomavirus in HIV-positive men who have sex with men: A case report and review of the literature. BCMJ 2002;44:374). We would like to clarify the current management of this condition in British Columbia. As of now, high-resolution anoscopy and colposcopy are not yet available in British Columbia. As well, the optimal management strategy for anal dysplastic lesions has not been fully characterized, but these individuals should receive long-term regular follow-up.

A large epidemiological study is currently being initiated to investigate various ways of performing anal pap smears, interpreting the results, and evaluating outcomes among HIV-negative and -positive men. The study is funded by CIHR and will start early in 2003. Also, a pilot consultation service is currently being developed through the Immunodeficiency Clinic at St. Paul’s Hospital, Providence Health Care, to evaluate patients presenting with dysplastic changes on anal pap smears. It is anticipated that this service will begin in the first quarter of 2003. Both of these initiatives will be appropriately announced through these pages as they are activated.

—Natasha Press, MD
Elissa Press, BA
Gil Kimel, MSc
Robert S. Hogg, PhD
Julio S.G. Montaner, MD
BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

Natasha Press, MD, FRCPC, Elissa Press, BA, Gil Kimel, MSc, Robert S. Hogg, PhD, Julio S.G. Montaner, MD. Re: Anal cancer. BCMJ, Vol. 44, No. 10, December, 2002, Page(s) 525 - Letters.


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Halpern SD, Ubel PA, Caplan AL, Marion DW, Palmer AM, Schiding JK, et al. Solid-organ transplantation in HIV-infected patients. N Engl J Med. 2002;347:284-7.

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