Information From Your Health Care Provider

KAPOSI SARCOMA

Basic information

description

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a form of skin cancer that is found most often in patients with advanced HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. A second form of Kaposi sarcoma is associated with some immunosuppressive drugs. A third form, referred to as classic KS, is found in elderly men of Mediterranean and Eastern European ancestry. A fourth form affects adults and children in Africa.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Skin lesions (sores) usually on the face, arms, and trunk. They may also be found in the mouth, lymph nodes, and other areas.
The color may be brown, reddish-purple, or purple-black. They usually don't itch or cause pain.
Lesions in the mouth may interfere with eating or swallowing.
Lesions on the feet may interfere with walking.
Swelling of the face, scrotum, and lower extremities if the lymph nodes are affected.
May cause internal bleeding if the stomach is affected.
May cause breathing problems if lungs are affected.

causes

A herpesvirus (HHV-8, Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus [KSHV]) is believed to be the cause. It is spread mainly in saliva, blood, or semen. It can be passed during sexual contact, kissing, blood transfusions, organ transplantation, or from mother to her unborn child.

risk increases with

Weak immune system due to HIV-AIDS infection.
Elderly men of Mediterranean and Eastern European descent. People of central African ethnicity.
Weak immune system due to drug therapy (e.g., for organ transplantation).

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Practice safe sex.
Antiretrovirals for HIV patients can boost the immune system and help prevent KS.

expected outcomes

There is no cure. It is a lifelong condition.
For AIDS-related KS, the outcome depends on the extent and location of the lesions and the degree of immune system impairment. In some cases, treatment may stabilize or reverse the condition.
For KS due to an immune-suppressing drug, it often improves if drug is changed or dosage reduced.
For classic type KS, outcome varies. It is slow growing. Elderly patients may die from other causes.
African KS can spread rapidly. Premature death may result, even with treatment.

possible complications

Other cancers, lymphedema, infections, internal bleeding, or recurrence of KS after therapy. It can be fatal.

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

Your health care provider will do an exam of the affected skin areas. Tissue from a sore will be used for a biopsy. Medical tests may be done to confirm the diagnosis and to see if the disorder has spread to other places in the body (staging).
For AIDS-related KS:
- If there are only a few skin lesions, they may be followed up for a period of time rather than being treated.
- Treatment usually includes antiretroviral drugs.
- Skin lesions can be treated in other ways. They can be frozen (cryotherapy), treated with radiation, cut out surgically, or treated with drugs that are injected into the skin or used on the skin.
- Cosmetic cover-up products can be used on the skin to camouflage the lesions.
- If lesions have spread to the inside (internal organs) of the body, drugs are used for treatment.
Classic KS does not usually need treatment, but radiotherapy may be used in some cases.
Transplant KS can be treated by stopping, changing, or reducing drugs.
African KS may be treated with chemotherapy.

medications

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is usually prescribed if they are not being taken already.
Anticancer drugs may be given.
Topical retinoic acid may be used for skin lesions.
New drugs are being studied.

activity

As tolerated.

diet

You may need a special diet if the mouth is affected.

notify our office if

You or a household member has symptoms of Kaposi sarcoma.
New or unexplained symptoms develop.