Symptoms

People with an HIV/AIDS-related cancer may experience the following symptoms. Sometimes, people with an HIV/AIDS-related cancer do not show any of these symptoms. Or, these symptoms may be caused by a medical condition that is not cancer. If you are concerned about a symptom on this list, please talk to your doctor.

Kaposi’s sarcoma

• Lesions in the mouth and/or throat
  
  
• Slightly elevated purple, pink, brown, or red lesions appearing anywhere on the skin, most commonly on the upper body, face, and mouth
  
  
• Lymphedema (swelling caused by blockage of the lymph system, often in an arm or leg)
  
  
• Unexplained cough or chest pain
  
  
• Unexplained stomach or intestinal pain
  
  
• Unexplained bleeding from the mouth or rectum
  
  
• Diarrhea and/or blockage of the digestive tract, caused by Kaposi’s sarcoma lesions that have developed in the gastrointestinal system

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

The symptoms of NHL depend on where the cancer starts and the organ that is involved.

General symptoms:

• Enlarged lymph nodes in the abdomen, groin, neck, or underarms
  
  
• Enlarged spleen or liver
  
  
• Fever that cannot be explained by an infection or other illness
  
  
• Weight loss with no known cause
  
  
• Sweating and chills

Examples of symptoms related to tumor location:

• A tumor in the abdomen can cause a distended (stretched) belly or pain.
  
  
• A tumor in the center of the chest pressing on the windpipe can cause difficulty breathing or other respiratory problems.

Cervical cancer

• Bloody spots or light bleeding between or following menstrual periods
  
  
• Menstrual bleeding that is longer and heavier than usual
  
  
• Bleeding after sexual intercourse, douching, or a pelvic examination
  
  
• Pain during sexual intercourse
  
  
• Bleeding after menopause
  
  
• Increased vaginal discharge