HRA Is the Most Cost-Effective Way to Screen for Anal Cancer in HIV-Positive MSM

High resolution anoscopy (HRA)—whereby a provider uses a plastic anoscope, a small camera, tissue staining solutions and tissue biopsy—is the most cost-effective way to screen for anal cancer, despite being one of the most expensive methods. This finding was published online December 6 in the journal AIDS.

Rates of anal cancer are as much as 160 times higher in HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) than the general public. For this reason, many experts recommend annual screening. Unfortunately, no study has yet determined which of several available methods is most cost effective for this purpose.

HRA is considered the gold standard for the detection of cells that are progressing toward anal cancer. It has the highest sensitivity—meaning that it is most effective at finding precancerous lesions—and the highest specificity—meaning that it can distinguish between the most serious lesions (called anal intraepithelial neoplasia grades 2 or 3 [AIN 2/3]) and the less dangerous lesions.

Full text of article available at link below -

View original article here