Kaposi's sarcoma is a type of cancer which reaches the inner layers of the blood vessels and usually manifests in the skin and subcutaneous tissue (below the skin). In general, the first sign of Kaposi's sarcoma is the appearance of small lesions or nodules on the skin. More aggressive forms of the disease can reach mouth and oropharyngeal cavity (cheek, gum, lips, mouth, tongue, tonsils, pharynx, trachea), intestinal mucosa, lungs, eyes and eyelids.
Kaposi's sarcoma is common in patients with AIDS due to low immunity and is associated with the presence of human herpes virus type 8 (HHV-8). People with renal insufficiency or who have received transplants also have a higher risk of developing this type of cancer.
There are 4 known variants of Kaposi's sarcoma and all appear to be related to HHV-8 virus infection:
1) Classic or sporadic: most commonly affects older men, being more common in North America, descendants of Jews and peoples of the Mediterranean;
2) African or endemic: is more frequent in black children and young adults, especially in the southern regions of the Sahara desert;
3) Iatrogenic or immunosuppressive: more common in patients receiving transplantation or using immunosuppressive drugs;
4) Epidemic or associated with HIV infection: especially young adult men with homosexual and bisexual behavior.
What are the signs and symptoms of Kaposi's sarcoma?
The signs and symptoms of Kaposi's sarcoma are characterized by skin lesions which appear in the form of red, pink or violet spots in the case of white-skinned people. In individuals with black skin, the lesions are brown or dark brown.
The spots appear mainly on the head, neck and torso, and there may be only a few isolated lesions or hundreds of them scattered.
It is also swelling in lower limbs, around the eyes and genitals, often associated with lesions in these areas. Digestive bleeding can also be seen.
When it reaches the oropharynx, Kaposi's sarcoma hinders swallowing and speech, which can result in tooth loss or obstruction of the upper airways, respiratory failure
However, in some cases, the skin is not affected or the spots are preceded by lesions in the viscera, mouth or lymph glands. When it affects the ganglia, it can be observed nodules hardened and mobile in the groin and neck.
Treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and surgery. The oncologist and the infectologist are the medical specialists responsible for treating the disease.
Learn more at: Does Kaposi's Sarcoma Have a Cure? What is the treatment?
