| dc.description.abstract | Background
Squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva is a rare, slow-growing tumour of the eye, normally affecting elderly men around 70 years
of age. In Africa, however, the disease is different. The incidence is rising rapidly, affecting young persons (around 35 years off age), and
usually affecting women. It is more aggressive, with a mean history of three months at presentation. This pattern is related to the coexistence
of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, high HPV exposure, and solar radiation in the region. Various interventions exist, but despite
therapy, there is a high recurrence rate (up to 43%) and poor cosmetic results in late disease. This review was conducted to evaluate
the interventions for treatment of conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma in HIV-infected individuals.
Objectives
To evaluate the effect of interventions for treating squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva in HIV-infected individuals on local
control, recurrence, death, time to recurrence, and adverse events.
Search strategy
Using a sensitive search strategy, we attempted to identify all relevant trials, regardless of language or publication status, from the following
electronic databases; Medline/PubMed, CENTRAL, AIDSearch, EMBASE, LILACS, African Healthline, Cochrane HIV/AIDS
Specialised Register, and the Cochrane Cancer Network Specialised Register. We searched the clinical trial register of the US National
Institutes of Health, searched the international conference proceedings of AIDS and AIDS-related cancers, and contacted individual
researchers, research organisations, and pharmaceutical companies that manufacture the drugs used as interventions. Searches were
done between September 2005 and June 2006.
Selection criteria
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving HIV-infected individuals with ocular surface squamous neoplasia.
Data collection and analysis
We independently screened the results of the search to select potentially relevant studies and to retrieve the full articles.We independently
applied the inclusion criteria to the potentially relevant studies. No studies were identi ed that ful lled the selection criteria.
Main results
No RCTs of interventions currently used against conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma in HIV-infected individuals were identi ed. | en |
