Kaposi’s sarcoma

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

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

Kaposi's sarcoma on foot

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Kaposi’s sarcoma

Treatment:

Treatment decisions depend on the extent and location of the lesions, as well as the person's symptoms and degree of immunosuppression. Antiviral therapy against the AIDS virus can shrink the lesions.

Radiation therapy or cryotherapy can be used for lesions in certain areas. Combination chemotherapy may also be used. However, lesions may return after treatment.

Expectations (prognosis):

Treatment and remission of Kaposi's sarcoma does not improve the chances of survival from AIDS itself. The outlook depends on the immune status and HIV viral load of the patient.

Complications:

Kaposi's sarcoma can involve the lungs and cause significant symptoms, including cough and shortness of breath. This diagnosis is made by a CT scan of the chest and a bronchoscopy. The tumors can return even after apparently successful treatment. Kaposi's sarcoma can be fatal for a person with AIDS.

Review Date: 8/12/2004
Reviewed By: Stephen Grund, M.D. Ph.D., Chief of Hematology/Oncology and Director of the George Bray Cancer Center at New Britain General Hospital, New Britain, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.