Revised March 2011
This information should not be used to self-diagnose, or be used in place of a qualified physician’s care.
- Patients with Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) are treated by members of the BC Cancer Agency’s Skin Tumour Group and Lymphoma Tumour Group.
- For healthcare professional information on treating this cancer, please see our Cancer Management Guidelines for Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer and for Lymphoma.
- Kaposi Sarcoma or Kaposi’s Sarcoma is named for Dr. Moritz Kaposi who first described it.
- Sarcoma refers to a cancer that starts in connective or supportive tissue.
- Kaposi Sarcoma tumours have an abnormal growth of small blood vessels and appear as purple lesions under the skin and in the mucous membranes such as the mouth, nose and anus.
What causes it and who gets it?
Listed below are some of the known risk factors for this Kaposi Sarcoma. Not all of the risk factors below may cause this cancer, but they may be contributing factors.
- Kaposi Sarcoma is an uncommon cancer that occurs in a classic slow-growing form and also in a more recent AIDS-related or epidemic form.
- Classic KS usually occurs in older people, usually over 70 years old, of Russian-Jewish, Italian and African origin.
- Epidemic or AIDS-related KS occurs in people who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or who have developed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
- The skin lesions of people with KS contain human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8), also known as Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV).
- Not everyone infected with HHV-8 get KS. People with HHV-8 who are most at risk include those with weaked immune systems as a result of disease, drugs, or an organ transplant.
- Men are affected over twice as much as women.
- The virus may also be associated with lymphoma (cancer of the lymph system).
- Statistics - Kaposi Sarcoma is uncommon, and statistics are incompletely reported.
Can I help to prevent it?
- The classic form of Kaposi Sarcoma is not preventable.
- The risk of epidemic KS may be reduced by preventing HIV/AIDS infection through safe sexual practices and safe use of intravenous needles.
Screening for this cancer
- Screening is not available for Kaposi Sarcoma.
Signs and symptoms
- In classic KS purple, red or brown skin lesions appear mainly on the legs and feet.
- A person may feel perfectly well.
- There may be lesions in the mouth or other mucous membranes.
- Lymph glands may be enlarged.
- There may also be weight loss, fatigue, fever, or pain.
Diagnosis
This is a list of some or all of the tests used to diagnose this type of cancer.
- Careful physical examination of all organ systems.
- Surgical biopsy of the skin is usually needed to confirm the diagnosis.
- For more information on all cancer diagnostic tests, see our Recommended Websites, Diagnosis section.
Types and stages
Staging describes the extent of a cancer. The stage of the cancer is used to plan the treatment. Instead of the TNM (tumour, nodes, metastasis) classification system, the TIS system developed by the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) is used for Kaposi Sarcoma:
- T describes the size of the tumour.
- I describes the status of the immune system, as measured by a type of white blood cell.
- S refers to the spread of the disease or the systemic presence of HIV/AIDS-related disease.
Types of lesions may include:
- Nodular lesions that are purple and may have a halo of brown or yellow.
- Infiltrating lesions that are raised and grow downward beneath the skin.
- Lymphatic lesions.
Treatment
Cancer therapies can be highly individualized – your treatment may differ from what is described below.
Classic Kaposi Sarcoma:
- Radiation therapy may be very effective for localized lesions.
- Chemotherapy injected into lesions may control widespread lesions.
- Radiation therapy or sometimes chemotherapy may be used to treat disease that has progressed.
AIDS-related Kaposi Sarcoma:
- Cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen) is usually effective at removing small skin lesions. The treatment of skin lesions does not prevent new KS lesions from appearing.
- Intralesional interferon may be used to treat small skin lesions.
- Radiation therapy may be used to treat larger skin lesions.
- Systemic chemotherapy may provide for some control of the KS.
- Treatment for HIV/AIDS may lead to KS lesions regressing.
- If HIV/AIDS associated lymphoma is present, it is generally treated the same as non-AIDS related lymphoma.
Follow-up after treatment
- You will be returned to the care of your family doctor or specialist for regular follow-up.
- Follow-up testing is based on your type of cancer and your individual circumstances.
- The BCCA Survivorship Research Centre focusses on the issues that cancer survivors can face.
Coping with cancer
The Coping with Cancer section of our website is a joint project among different BC Cancer Agency departments and programs. This website section provides information and links that can help cancer patients with the physical, emotional, psychological and practical aspects of care. Each cancer experience is different, but in one way or another, many cancer patients share the same needs.
The effects of cancer and its treatment can present unique challenges: from practical concerns like money and housing, to emotional concerns like anxiety and grief. If you need support with the practical and emotional impacts of cancer, or in managing symptoms and side effects you can use the information in Coping with Cancer to connect to these resources.
Search our library catalogue
- The BC Cancer Agency Library has many resources about cancer, coping, talking to children, etc. Please visit the Library in your Centre, call a librarian, or visit the Library online to see the many resources available.
- Automatically get a bibliography of books, videos and other items available through our library.
Recommended websites
The BC Cancer Agency has selected and evaluated these useful websites for your further information.
Kaposi Sarcoma
Websites for cancer survivors, and how to stay healthy after treatment.
Videos
View videos on cancer-related topics that the BC Cancer Agency produces.
How can I help with research at BC Cancer Agency?
BC Cancer Agency patients are very helpful when it comes to the fight against cancer. Here are a few ways that you can help:
This information is awaiting Tumour Group approval.