Introduction:

The magnitude of the HIV infection transcends the health problem that holds, since it is the fertile ground to generate other, emerging and reemerging diseases, of equal or greater impact. In this regard, the cancer increases its incidence, severity and mortality in HIV positive patients. This association is given in the areas of epidemiology, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, clinical and therapeutic.

Methods:

To update these relations are conducted an extensive literature review; apply theoretical methods such as analysis and synthesis and the historical logic.

Develop:

The nexus most evident in the genesis and development of cancer was the dysfunction of the immune system, using the immunodeficiency and chronic inflammation that induces HIV. The complexity of both diseases presupposes a challenge, to the hour of handle clinic and therapeutically, requiring a paradigm shift on the part of the services of health. However, not all the elements which have emerged from the review are negative, several findings in the conduct shown benefits for HIV-positive patient with cancer. Likewise, the prevention of cancer in them is possible.

Conclusions:

The relationship between HIV and cancer are supported epidemiologically, moreover, there is evidence of causality of HIV as conducive to the emergence of malignant neoplasms to cellular and molecular level in their pathogenesis. However not everything is negative there is evidence of mutual benefits to address these health problems.