Besides AIDS, another deadly disease that is caused by the HIV is the Kaposi’s sarcoma commonly called KS. Kaposi’s sarcoma is a form of cancer which is more common in men than in women. The disease occurs in people who have a weakened immune system. More than 20% of AIDS people who don’t take anti HIV drugs or ART. The people who take ART rarely develop Kaposi’s sarcoma.

Kaposi’s sarcoma is a type of cancer in which patches of tissues grow abnormally under the skin, nose, mouth and throat. These patches are mostly purple or red as they are made of blood cells and cancer cells. But if the Kaposi’s sarcoma spreads to lungs or digestive tract, bleeding may occur. If the person has AIDS, Kaposi’s sarcoma develops very fast.

The Kaposi’s sarcoma on skin may not be life threatening but if Kaposi’s sarcoma is on the feet, it makes walking difficult and in extreme cases the patient is unable to walk at all. If the Kaposi’s sarcoma is in the lining of mouth, then the patient finds it difficult to eat or swallow. If Kaposi’s sarcoma is in the lymph nodes then it may cause swelling in the legs, arms, face and scrotum.

The skin lesion s of Kaposi’s sarcoma is mostly painless and flat. There is no itching or draining of fluids from them. They look like bruise of purple color but the color will not be lost while putting pressure on it like normal bruises. That is the first indication of Kaposi’s sarcoma. Sometimes these lesions can grow as raised bumps; the doctor may go for a biopsy to confirm Kaposi’s sarcoma.

Diagnosis and prevention:

Kaposi’s sarcoma can be diagnosed by physical examinations, checking the lymph nodes, biopsy of the lesion, chest x-ray, endoscopy, and bronchoscopy.

Kaposi’s sarcoma can spread in the body through tissues, lymph nodes and blood. The AIDS related Kaposi’s sarcoma can be diagnosed through the lesions. One third of AIDS patients have Kaposi’s sarcoma in the throat and mouth. Moth lesion may be responsible for tooth loss. As it is not known how the HHV-8 (the virus responsible for Kaposi’s sarcoma) spreads, it becomes very hard to prevent the disease.

The Kaposi’s sarcoma can be of many types like:

  • Classic Kaposi’s sarcoma
  • African Kaposi’s sarcoma
  • Immunosuppressive treatment induced Kaposi’s sarcoma
  • Epidemic Kaposi’s sarcoma
  • Nonepidemic Kaposi’s sarcoma

Treatment of Kaposi’s sarcoma:

ART is the most common and effective treatment for Kaposi’s sarcoma. In many cases ART (antiretroviral therapy) clears up the lesions and stops its growth.

If there are only skin lesions then they can be treated by freezing them with liquid nitrogen, radiation or removed surgically. Interferon alpha injections can also treat the lesions. Sometimes the Kaposi’s sarcoma can be treated with Panretin gel. It is possible that the skin lesions are back after some time. If the Kaposi’s sarcoma spreads to internal organs then systematic drug treatment is required. Doxorubicin, daunorubicin and paclitaxel can also be added to the normal ART.

It is advised that any AIDS patients if see any skin lesion, they must consult a doctor for further checkups and treatment.

Tags: , ,