Variable clinical presentations of Classic Kaposi Sarcoma in Turkish patients

March 2012

Ilknur Altunay, Asli Kucukunal,^* Gulsen Tukenmez Demirci, and Bilge Ates

Abstract

Key Words: HHV-8, HIV, Kaposi sarcoma, skin cancer

Background

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a vascular neoplasm with multicentric cutanenous and extracutaneous involvements, which was first described by Moriz Kaposi in 1872. Since then, different epidemiological clinical and histopathological variants of this neoplasm have been identified. Classic Kaposi sarcoma (CKS) is one of four main clinico-epidemiologiologic variants. characteristics of the disease.

Materials and Methods

Four Turkish inpatients with CKS were evaluated in the study. All medical history and clinical data were noted. A screening immunodeficiency workup were performed for all patients. HHV-8 immunofluorescence testing on the specimens and ELISA test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV 1 and 2) were performed. Pulmonary X ray graphies and computurized tomography (CT) scan were applied. Stage of the tumor was determined, in each case, according to the classification system proposed by Brambilla et al in 2003.

Results

All patients are positive for HHV-8. They were all immunocompetent and negative for HIV1 and HIV2. The first patient was unusual for morphological presentation of several verrucoid lesions that was evaluated as verrucoid KS. He was considered stage IB CKS. The patient 2 was a young man and the course of KS seemed unexpectedly aggressive for CKS. His clinical appearence seemed us to be a patient with AIDSassociated KS. The patient was evaluated as stage IVB CKS. Our third patient had also prominent lymphedema associated with bluish discoloration on the toes and fingers, suggesting a diagnosis of peripheral vascular disorder. He was diagnosed as stage IIIB CKS. The fourth case was interesting for very extensive lesions involving big sized plaques and also the existence of mucosal lesion. The patient was diagnosed as stage IVB CKS.

Conclusions

It seems that the reports of exceptional cases of KS are accumulating. Data from various cases should be collected and perhaps, novel clinical classifications should be considered. 

Full Text Article

NIH - Journal of Dermatological Case Reports

AIDS-related Gastrointestinal Kaposi Sarcoma in Korea: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Sept 2012

Chung CY, Park SW, Myung E, Cho DK, Song YA, Park KJ, Jang HC, Joo YE.

Source

Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, 8 Hak-dong, Dong-ku, Gwangju 501-757, Korea.

Abstract

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a vascular neoplasm, which is fairly prevalent in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Mucocutaneous and lymph node involvements are characteristic features of KS in AIDS patients. The involvement of gastrointestinal tract occurs in 40% of KS patients and leads to significant morbidity and mortality. In the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era, the rate of AIDS related KS has fallen with control of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viremia. However, it is still recognized as the primary AIDS-defining illness, and the proportion of AIDS diagnoses made due to KS ranged from 4.1% to 7.5%. In Korea, AIDS-related KS has been report in low rate incidence. Its gastrointestinal involvements are rarely reported. To date, five cases have been recorded in Korea. Herein, we present an additional case of gastrointestinal KS as the AIDS-defining illness and review of the Korean medical literature. (Korean J Gastroenterol 2012;60:166-171).

KJG

Topical treatment of cutaneous Kaposi sarcoma with imiquimod 5% in renal-transplant recipients: a clinicopathological observation.

Feb 2012

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Prinz Vavricka BM, Hofbauer GF, Dummer R, French LE, Kempf W.

Source

Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.

Abstract

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a vascular neoplasm pathogenetically linked to human herpesvirus 8. Transplant recipients, in particular renal-transplant recipients (RTRs) are at higher risk for post-transplant (P)-KS which affects 0.2-11% of RTRs. The course of P-KS is influenced by the post-transplantation immunosuppressive treatment. Reduction of immunosuppressive drugs can result in tumour regression, and is the treatment of choice for P-KS, but is associated with the risk for transplant rejection. Imiquimod is a topically applied immunomodulator without relevant systemic absorption, and may thus represent a promising treatment for cutaneous KS in RTRs. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and histological effects of imiquimod in two RTRs with cutaneous KS. Imiquimod resulted in complete clinical and histologically proven remission in one patient, but in the second patient, although there was clinical remission, histological persistence of KS was found. Imiquimod may represent an effective treatment for RTRs with cutaneous P-KS. However, clinical remission does not necessarily indicate complete tumour regression, as shown in one of our patients, who had a persisting tumour, as shown by biopsy examination. Thus, histological confirmation is crucial to confirm complete response.

British Association of Dermatologists.

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