Kaposi's Sarcoma

Kaposi's Sarcoma

Also called: KS
Kaposi's sarcoma is a cancer that causes patches of abnormal tissue to grow under the skin, in the lining of the mouth, nose, and throat or in other organs. The patches are usually red or purple and are made of cancer cells and blood cells. The red and purples patches often cause no symptoms, though they may be painful. If the cancer spreads to the digestive tract or lungs, bleeding can result. Lung tumors can make breathing hard.
Before the AIDS epidemic, KS usually developed slowly. In AIDS patients, though, the disease moves quickly. Treatment depends on where the lesions are and how bad they are. Treatment for the AIDS virus itself can shrink the lesions. However, treating KS does not improve survival from AIDS itself.


Diagnosis/Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of Kaposi sarcoma:

The first sign of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is usually the development of skin lesions. Typical lesions begin as flat or slightly raised colored spots. Sometimes they develop under the skin and do not have any unusual coloring. The lesions can develop anywhere on the body, but most often they arise on the legs, nose (especially the tip), the feet, outside parts of the ears, mouth, or genitals. In time the lesions progress to larger nodules that range in color from pink or red to blue, purple, or brown. In dark-skinned people, the lesions may be dark brown or black. Sometimes a greenish "halo" appears around the lesion. Usually the lesions are not tender or sore.