Description

Kaposi's sarcoma is a type of cancer that forms in the lining of the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. The forms of cancer tumors cells, called lesions in the skin. The lesions often form on the face, arms and legs. The injury may look pink, red, purple, or brown.

The lesions may also appear on the genitals or in the mouth. In the severe form of kaposi's sarcoma, lesions can be in the digestive tract and the lungs.

The cause of Kaposi's sarcoma is the infection with the virus of human herpesvirus 8, also known as HHV-8. In healthy people, this infection usually does not cause symptoms because the immune system keeps it under control. In a person with a weakened immune system, however, the HHV-8 can lead to kaposi's sarcoma.

Types of kaposi's sarcoma include:

  • AIDS-related or epidemic kaposi's sarcoma. This type occurs in persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, also called HIV. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.
  • Transplant-associated or iatrogenic kaposi's sarcoma. This type occurs in people who take medications to control the immune system after an organ transplant.
  • Classic kaposi's sarcoma. This type occurs in older adults in Eastern europe, the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern descent. It usually grows slowly and can cause swelling in areas such as the legs.
  • Endemic kaposi's sarcoma. This type affects young people in Africa. It may grow slowly in the skin or quickly inside the body.

Symptoms

Kaposi's sarcoma-signs and symptoms include:

  • A growth on the skin that can be raised or flat.
  • A growth on the skin that looks red, purple, or brown in color.

The growths, called lesions, more often occur on the face, arms or legs. Usually, it does not cause discomfort.

If kaposi's sarcoma not treated, the lesions can grow. Can cause:

  • Swelling in the lower legs caused by blood flow problems.
  • Enlargement of the lymph nodes.
  • The skin that appears red or purple in color and can be painful and itchy.

Kaposi's sarcoma can also affect areas you can't see. It can grow in the digestive tract or in the lungs. When The kaposi's sarcoma occurs in the digestive tract, symptoms may include:

  • The diarrhea.
  • Nausea.
  • Stomach pain.
  • Vomiting.
  • The loss of weight.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if you have symptoms that concern you.

Causes

The human herpes virus 8 causes kaposi's sarcoma. Health professionals believe that this virus, also known as HHV-8, is spread from person to person through saliva. You can also pass through the blood.

When a healthy person gets the HHV-8 virus, the immune system of the person is likely that the control of the same. The virus can remain in the body, but does not cause any problem. If something happens to weaken the immune system, the virus can not be controlled. This can lead to kaposi's sarcoma.

Risk factors

Risk factors for kaposi's sarcoma include:

  • The HIV infection. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.
  • Advanced age. Kaposi's sarcoma can occur at any age. It is most common in adults between the ages of 50 and 70.
  • To live in certain parts of the world. Kaposi's sarcoma is rare in the united States. It is more common in the Mediterranean, eastern Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Drugs that weaken the immune system. Some conditions are treated with medications to control the immune system. The medicine that works this way is often used after surgery organ transplant.

Diagnosis

Taking a piece of skin for testing

A health professional may recommend the removal of a small piece of a skin lesion for the tests. This procedure is called a biopsy of the skin. The sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis. Lab tests can detect signs of cancer.

A skin biopsy can confirm The kaposi's sarcoma.

The evidence of kaposi's sarcoma in the interior of the body

Other tests may be needed to find The kaposi's sarcoma in the lungs or the digestive tract.

Tests to find The kaposi's sarcoma in the gastrointestinal tract may include:

  • Fecal occult blood test. This test detects hidden blood in stool. If it shows occult blood, other tests may be needed to find the source. Other tests include endoscopy or colonoscopy. These tests are used to see if The kaposi's sarcoma that is causing the bleeding.
  • Endoscopy. In this test, a thin tube, called an endoscope, is passed through the mouth. It allows a health professional to look at the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine.
  • Colonoscopy. In this test, a thin tube, called a colonoscope is passed through the rectum and into the colon. It allows a health professional to look at the walls of these organs.
  • Computed tomography. This imaging test that uses X-rays to make detailed images of areas inside the body. A CT of the abdomen and pelvis may show the digestive tract.

Tests to find The kaposi's sarcoma in the lungs can include:

  • X-ray of the chest. A chest x-ray may show something unusual in the lungs. If so, a chest ct or bronchoscopy may be used to see if the unusual finding is kaposi's sarcoma.
  • Computed tomography. This imaging test that uses X-rays to make detailed images of areas inside the body. A ct scan of the chest may show the lungs.
  • The bronchoscopy. In this test, a thin tube called a bronchoscope is passed through the nose or mouth into the lungs. This allows the visualization of the mucosa of the respiratory tract and the taking of samples of lung tissue.

Treatment

There is No cure for kaposi's sarcoma. But there are many treatment options that can help control it. Some people may not need treatment right away. In contrast, the condition might be monitored to ensure that it does not get worse. The treatment depends on:

  • The type of kaposi's sarcoma.
  • The number of injuries and where they are.
  • The effects of injury, such as to cause pain or in the way of eating or breathing.
  • Your health in general.

Treatment for AIDS-related kaposi's sarcoma

Thanks to the improvement of the antiviral drugs to treat AIDS and ways to prevent it, The kaposi's sarcoma has become less common and less severe in people with AIDS. Take antiviral medications can reduce the amount of the virus that causes HIV/AIDS and make the immune system stronger. This might be the only necessary treatment for kaposi's sarcoma.

Treatment for transplant-related kaposi's sarcoma

Some people with transplant-related Kaposi's sarcoma may be able to stop taking medicines that control the immune system or change to another drug.

The treatment of small lesions on the skin

Treatment for small lesions of the skin may include:

  • Minor surgery, also called excision.
  • Freezing treatment, cryotherapy.
  • The radiation therapy.
  • An injection of the chemotherapy medicine vinblastine in the lesions.
  • The application of a medication in a cream or gel to the skin.

The treated lesions in any of these ways are likely to return within a couple of years. When this happens, often, the treatment can be repeated.

Treatment if there are many injuries of the skin

If kaposi's sarcoma-the cause of many skin lesions, other treatments may be necessary, such as:

  • The radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. This is a treatment option if there are many injuries in the skin, but not enough to need chemotherapy.
  • Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses strong drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be an option when The kaposi's sarcoma affects several parts of the body. For kaposi's sarcoma that is quickly getting worse, chemotherapy can help.

Preparing for your appointment

Start by seeing a doctor or other health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you. If your doctor thinks you might have kaposi's sarcoma, it is possible that you may need to see a specialist. Specialists who care for people with kaposi's sarcoma include:

  • Physicians who treat diseases caused by infections, called infectious disease specialists.
  • The doctors who treat diseases of the skin, called dermatologists.
  • The doctors who treat cancer, called oncologists.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do beforehand.

Make a list of:

  • Their symptoms, even when they noticed the growth of the skin and how they have changed over time.
  • Key personal information, including your medical history, any recent changes in the life and family medical history.
  • All medications, vitamins or supplements that you are taking, including the dosage.
  • Questions to ask your health care professional.

You can bring a friend or a family member to help you remember the information they give you.

For kaposi's sarcoma, some basic questions to ask include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms?
  • Other that the most likely cause, what are other possible causes of the symptoms?
  • What tests do I need?
  • Does my condition to have a cure?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • You should see a specialist?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?
  • What would happen if I decide not to have treatment?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care professional may ask you questions about your symptoms, such as:

  • When did your symptoms begin?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of kaposi sarcoma