Histopathological assessment of AIDS-defining malignancies in the gastrointestinal tract presenting with acute abdomen: Improving diagnostic timeliness and patient care

Background. While a large number of cases in an HIV setting may be attributed to infections, there has also been a rise in HIV-associated malignancies such as Kaposi sarcoma and aggressive B-cell lymphoma. Good clinical outcomes have been attributed to timely clinicopathological diagnosis of these malignancies. Objective. To describe the clinicopathological features of cases with acute abdomen secondary to AIDS-defining malignancy in the gatrointestinal tract. Method. This is a retrospective analysis of all cases presenting with acute abdomen and histologically diagnosed AIDS-defining malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract over a period of 8 years in our centre. Clinicopathological characteristics were retrieved from the laboratory information system. Archived haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections and immunohistochemical stains were reappraised. Results. A total of 13 cases, which consisted of 5 males and 8 females, with an average age of 35 years formed the study sample. All the patients were HIV-positive on antiretroviral therapy, and presented with acute abdomen. Intraoperatively, there were five intussusceptions, three strictures, three perforated tumours and two luminal occlusions. Histopathology confirmed five cases of Kaposi sarcoma and eight cases of high-grade B-cell lymphomas. Two patients with high-grade B-cell lymphomas died after surgical intervention. Conclusion. Expedited histopathological assessment of bowel resection in HIV-infected patients could improve clinical outcomes with early treatment.