Kaposi’s sarcoma

Kaposi’s sarcoma - lesion on the foot	Kaposi’s sarcoma on the back	Kaposi’s sarcoma - close-up	Kaposi’s sarcoma on the thigh	Kaposi’s sarcoma - perianal

Definition   

A malignant tumor of blood vessels in persons with AIDS.

Causes and risks

Before the AIDS epidemic, Kaposi’s sarcoma was seen primarily in elderly Italian and Jewish men and developed slowly in these people. In AIDS patients, it can develop aggressively and often involves the skin, lungs, gastrointestinal tract and other organs. In AIDS, the disease may be caused by immune suppression and recent research suggests that it is a combination of suppression and an as yet unidentified type of herpes virus. The tumors consist of bluish-red or purple nodules made up of vascular tissue. Early lesions may start on the feet or ankles, and spread to the arms and hands. The incidence is approximately 3 out of 100,000 people.

Prevention 

Safe sexual practices can prevent infection with HIV, the virus responsible for AIDS and its complications including Kaposi’s sarcoma.

Symptoms

• bluish-red macule or papule with an irregular shape
• bleeding with gastrointestinal lesions
• shortness of breath with pulmonary (lung) lesions
• bloody sputum with pulmonary lesions

Signs and tests

• skin lesion biopsy showing Kaposi’s sarcoma
• endoscopy showing Kaposi’s lesions

This disease may also alter the results of an EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy).

Treatment

Treatment decisions depend upon the extent and location of the lesions, as well as the person’s symptoms and degree of immunosuppression. Radiation therapy or cryotherapy can be used for lesions in selected areas. Combination chemotherapy can also be used. Lesions can recur after treatment.

Prognosis

Treatment and remission of Kaposi’s lesions does not improve the survival of AIDS patients. The appearance of Kaposi’s sarcoma is a poor prognostic sign for individuals with AIDS.