What is Kaposi´s sarcoma - Meaning and definition

Published by Roberto Wenk. Last updated date: July 16, 2016.

A type of cancer caused by an overgrowth of blood vessels, which causes pink or purple spots or small bumps on the skin.
The condition can also occur inside the body, especially inside the intestines, lymph nodes, and lungs. When inside the body, it can be life threatening.
In people infected with HIV, Kaposi's sarcoma is considered an AIDS-defining condition.
A virus called Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) or human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is associated with Kaposi's sarcoma.

AIDSinfo. Glossary. Internet. Accessed on August 7, 2009.

Published by Roberto Wenk. Reviewed by Alison Ramsey. Last updated date: January 8, 2019.

Common cancer in HIV-infected persons. Incidence has fallen since the introduction of HAART. It is caused by infection with human herpes virus type 8 (HHV8).

Transmission
Was thought to be primarily via anal intercourse in homosexual men, but it is likely that transmission is via salivary route in susceptible people. In Europe, it is commonly seen in the legs in men but in HIV- infected women in Africa, it is seen equally in both the sexes and also in children and adolescents.

Clinical features:
AIDS-related KS presents with widespread lesions in the skin and mucus membranes. The skin lesions are seen as red or purplish macules or nodules that may bleed and ulcerate and usually increase in size and number with time. The lesions may coalesce to form plaques of tumor. Depending on the immune status of the patient, it may be slow growing or progress rapidly to systemic disease .
Extracutaneous sites include the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract (causes obstruction and bleeding), lymph nodes (local edema), and lungs (causes breathlessness and cough).

Diagnosis
Biopsy of skin or other lesions.

Treatment
Cosmetic for unsightly lesions, palliation of painful lesions and systemic disease.
Local therapy: radiotherapy — Kaposi's sarcoma is markedly radiosensitive and small doses cause regression in up to 70% of patients. Single doses are also effective, and superficial irradiation delivering 8Gy to symptomatic sites is recommended.
Other modalities are: excision, cryotherapy, laser treatment, photodynamic therapy, and intra lesional Vinblastine.

Systemic therapy: for widespread, bulky, or progressive disease, liposomal doxorubicin and paclitaxel are quite effective.

Woodruff R, Cameron D. HIV/AIDS in Adults. Hanks G, Cherny NI, Christakis NA, Fallon M, Kaasa S, Portenoy RK (Ed).Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine. Oxford University Press, 4th ed. 2010, pp.1195-1230.

Kaposi´s sarcoma

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