Symptoms

Symptoms of AIDS-Related Cancers

Different types of AIDS-related cancers cause different symptoms. These may include:

• Kaposi sarcoma: A visible symptom of this cancer is purple or brown spots on the skin or inside the mouth. The disease can affect internal organs and tissues, including the lungs, digestive tract and lymph nodes. It can also cause fever, diarrhea and weight loss.
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Symptoms are fever; unexplained weight loss; sweating at night; swollen lymph nodes in the underarms, groin, and neck; and a sense of fullness in the chest. Other symptoms can include memory loss, seizures and fatigue.
• Cervical cancer: This may not cause symptoms, especially early in its growth. Eventually, however, cervical cancer may cause abnormal vaginal bleeding, discomfort during sex and an unusual vaginal discharge.
• Anal cancer: Symptoms may include pain in the anal area, bleeding, itching, a change in bowel habits or a lump in the area.
• Lung cancer: Symptoms include severe coughing, which may bring up blood, chest pain, trouble breathing, fatigue and weight loss.