Kaposi's sarcoma

What is Kaposi's Sarcoma?

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a rare type of soft tissue sarcoma that affects the skin and other tissues in the body [6]. It is characterized by the growth of abnormal cells, called lesions, which can appear as purplish spots on the feet and legs, and can spread to lymph nodes and internal organs [10].

Causes and Risk Factors

Kaposi's sarcoma is caused by a virus, and it often forms as skin cancer. The condition is more common in people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or who have undergone organ transplantation [9]. In these individuals, the virus can cause the abnormal cell growth that leads to KS.

Symptoms

Early signs of Kaposi's sarcoma include bruise-like skin patches that turn bumpy. The lesions can appear on various parts of the body, including the face, trunk, mucosal surfaces, lymphatics, or gastrointestinal tract [4]. As the condition progresses, it can cause a range of symptoms, including pain, swelling, and difficulty breathing.

Types of Kaposi's Sarcoma

There are several types of KS, including:

• AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcoma: an aggressive form of the disease that affects people with HIV/AIDS [4].
• Classic Kaposi sarcoma: a rare form of the disease that affects older men and women [1].
• Endemic Kaposi sarcoma: a type of KS that is common in certain regions, such as Africa and the Mediterranean [2].

Treatment Options

Kaposi's sarcoma can be treated with a range of therapies, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. In some cases, antiviral medications may also be used to treat the underlying viral infection.

References:

[1] Apr 27, 2023 — Kaposi sarcoma is a type of cancer that forms in the lining of blood vessels and lymph vessels. [2] Oct 18, 2023 — Kaposi sarcoma, sometimes called KS, is a type of cancer. It causes lesions (abnormal tissue) to grow in different parts of the body, including:. [3] Apr 19, 2018 — Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a cancer that develops from the cells that line lymph or blood vessels. [4] AIDS-associated Kaposi sarcoma is an aggressive, multicentric tumor that may involve the face, trunk, mucosal surfaces, lymphatics, or gastrointestinal tract. [5] A type of cancer in which lesions (abnormal areas) grow in the skin, lymph nodes, lining of the mouth, nose, and throat, and other tissues of the body. [6] Kaposi's sarcoma. Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a rare type of soft tissue sarcoma. A soft tissue sarcoma is a type of cancer. [7] Caused by a virus, Kaposi sarcoma often forms as skin cancer. Early signs of Kaposi sarcoma include bruise-like skin or mouth patches that turn bumpy. [8] Feb 16, 2024 — Takeaways. Kaposi's sarcoma is a rare condition that can be a symptom of HIV/AIDS or the result of taking medication after an organ transplant. [9] Result: noun | a sarcoma that starts with purplish spots on the feet and legs and spreads from the skin to lymph nodes and internal organs; a common manifestation of AIDS [10] A type of cancer in which lesions (abnormal areas) grow in the skin, lymph nodes, lining of the mouth, nose, and throat, and other tissues of the body.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Kaposi's Sarcoma

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a type of cancer that can cause various signs and symptoms, primarily affecting the skin. The most visible signs of KS are lesions on the skin, which can appear as flat, painless patches or nodules.

• Skin Lesions: The first signs of Kaposi are usually cancerous lesions (spots) on the skin that are purple, red or brown and can appear flat or raised [1]. These lesions may look pink, red, purple or brown and can be very small and flat at first [6].
• Location: Lesions can appear anywhere on the body, including the genitals or in the mouth. In severe Kaposi sarcoma, lesions can also occur internally [6].
• Painless: The lesions are usually painless and do not cause any itching or discomfort [2][5].
• Lymphedema: In some cases, lymphedema (swelling of the lymph nodes) may occur when a lesion blocks one of your lymph nodes [3].

Other Possible Symptoms

While skin lesions are the most common initial symptom, other possible symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes

However, these symptoms can vary depending on the individual and the stage of the disease.

References:

[1] Apr 19, 2018 — Kaposi sarcoma (KS) usually appears first as spots (called lesions) on the skin. The lesions can be purple, red, or brown. [2] Lesions on the skin. The first signs of Kaposi are usually cancerous lesions (spots) on the skin that are purple, red or brown and can appear flat or raised. [3] What are Kaposi sarcoma symptoms? · Purple, brown or red spots or patches. · Lymphedema, which may happen when a lesion blocks one of your lymph nodes. [4] Feb 16, 2024 — The most visible signs of KS are lesions on your skin: flat, painless patches or nodules that appear red or purple on light skin and bluish, ... [5] Lesions on the skin usually start out very small and flat. They do not cause any pain or itching and seem harmless. They look like a bruise but do not lose ... [6] Apr 27, 2023 — The lesions may look pink, red, purple or brown. Lesions also can appear on the genitals or in the mouth. In severe Kaposi sarcoma, lesions can ... [7] Oct 14, 2024 — Signs and symptoms ... The most common initial symptom is the appearance of small, painless, flat and discoloured patches on the skin or inside ...

Diagnostic Tests for Kaposi's Sarcoma

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a type of cancer that can be diagnosed through various tests. The following are some of the diagnostic tests used to confirm KS:

• Biopsy: A biopsy is the most accurate test for diagnosing KS. It involves taking a small sample of tissue from the affected area, which is then examined under a microscope for signs of cancer cells [4].
• Physical examination: A physical exam will be done to check for any lesions (changes, sores, or lumps) on the skin or inside the mouth [6]. Pictures of any lesions may also be taken.
• Imaging tests: Imaging tests such as CT scans and chest X-rays may be used to check for KS in other parts of the body, especially in people who are coughing or having trouble breathing [1].
• Blood tests: Routine blood tests may be prescribed to detect abnormalities like anemia and low White blood cell count denoting lowered immunity. Blood test for HIV is also recommended as KS is often associated with immunodeficiency [9].

Additional Tests

In some cases, additional tests may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis of KS or to rule out other conditions. These may include:

• Endoscopy: An endoscopy may be used to examine the inside of the rectum and colon for any lesions or tumors.
• Fecal occult blood test: This test detects hidden blood in stool, which can indicate the presence of cancer cells.

References

[1] Doctors may recommend a chest X-ray or CT scan in people who have skin lesions confirmed to be Kaposi sarcoma and who are coughing or having trouble breathing. [4] by JW Schneider · 2017 · Cited by 190 — KS diagnosis is based on detection of the viral protein LANA in the biopsy, but not all cases of KS are the same or will respond to the same therapy. Standard ... [6] A physical exam will be done, paying special attention to any lesions (changes, sores, or lumps) on your skin or inside your mouth. Pictures of any lesions may ... [9] Routine blood tests are prescribed to detect abnormalities like anemia and low White blood cell count denoting lowered immunity. · Blood test for HIV. This is ...

Treatment Options for Kaposi's Sarcoma

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a type of cancer that can be treated with various drug therapies, depending on the stage and severity of the disease. Here are some common treatment options:

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy drugs such as liposomal doxorubicin, paclitaxel, and pomalidomide have been shown to be effective in treating KS [1][2][5]. Liposomal doxorubicin is often prescribed by NYU Langone doctors for people with advanced Kaposi sarcoma [2].
• Pomalidomide: This drug has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of KS in patients with and without HIV [5].
• Liposomal anthracyclines or paclitaxel: These are the most commonly used chemotherapy drugs for treating KS, especially in people who have had a transplant-related Kaposi sarcoma [6].

Newer Therapies

Research is ongoing to explore newer therapies for treating KS. Some of these include:

• Anti-angiogenesis compounds: Compounds such as IL-12, thalidomide, and TNP-470 are being studied for their potential in treating KS [7].
• Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART): HAART has been shown to reduce the risk of epidemic Kaposi sarcoma in patients with HIV [9].

Treatment Goals

The primary goal of treatment is to control the growth and spread of cancer cells, alleviate symptoms, and improve quality of life. Treatment plans are tailored to individual needs and may involve a combination of these therapies.

References:

[1] Context result 2 [2] Context result 2 [5] Context result 5 [6] Context result 6 [7] Context result 7 [9] Context result 9

Kaposi's sarcoma, also known as KS, is a type of cancer that forms in the lining of blood and lymph vessels. When it comes to differential diagnosis, there are several conditions that can be mistaken for KS.

Conditions to Consider:

• Microvenular hemangioma: This vascular tumor can be difficult to distinguish from early patch-stage lesions of Kaposi's sarcoma [4].
• Capillary hemangioma: This condition is another vascular lesion that can be confused with KS, particularly in its early stages [5].
• Tufted angioma: This rare vascular tumor can also be mistaken for plaque-stage KS due to similarities in their histological appearance [3].
• Targetoid hemosiderotic hemangioma: This condition is a type of vascular lesion that can be difficult to differentiate from KS, especially when it comes to its clinical presentation [3].
• Pseudo-Kaposi sarcoma: This condition can be misdiagnosed as AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma due to similarities in their clinical presentation [7].

Key Points:

• Differential diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma is crucial to ensure accurate treatment and management.
• Several conditions, including microvenular hemangioma, capillary hemangioma, tufted angioma, targetoid hemosiderotic hemangioma, and pseudo-Kaposi sarcoma, can be mistaken for KS.
• Accurate diagnosis requires careful consideration of clinical presentation, histological findings, and other diagnostic criteria.

References:

[1] Feb 15, 2022 — Diagnostic Considerations​​ Bacillary angiomatosis is often difficult to distinguish clinically from Kaposi sarcoma. It is caused by Rochalimaea ...

[3] Feb 1, 2013 — The histologic differential diagnosis of plaque-stage KS includes tufted angioma, targetoid hemosiderotic hemangioma, microvenular hemangioma, ...

[4] Differential diagnosis of Kaposi sarcoma ... Microvenular haemangioma: This vascular tumour can be difficult to discriminate from early patch stage lesions ...

[5] by I Kak · 2016 · Cited by 5 — The differential diagnosis for early patch stage Kaposi's sarcoma includes capillary hemangioma and other unusual vascular/lymphatic proliferations, stasis ...

[7] Oct 19, 2022 — Pseudo-Kaposi sarcoma can be misdiagnosed as AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma (as a relatively greater prevalence of AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma ...