Dr. Tengku Ahmad Hidayat, a haematologist at Beacon Hospital, has seen a rising trend of lymphoma in HIV patients—a growing concern with Malaysia’s 85,000-strong HIV population.
Lymphoma, a blood cancer caused by uncontrolled lymphocyte growth, is more common in HIV patients due to their weakened immune systems.
“Early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment, but the stigma surrounding HIV often discourages patients from seeking care. This, combined with lymphoma symptoms such as persistent fever, fatigue, and swollen glands, resembling common illnesses, makes early detection more difficult, and without specialised tests like biopsies or PET scans, diagnosing lymphoma can be challenging,” he explained.
“Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is essential for all HIV patients. While it doesn’t cure HIV, it helps them live healthier, longer lives and lowers transmission risk,” he said, noting that cancer treatment is less effective without ART.
With better awareness, timely diagnosis, and improved access to care, more patients can receive life-saving treatment and better outcomes.
For full article, source : Bernama
