Kaposi's sarcoma

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a type of cancer that can form masses in the skin, lymph nodes, or other organs. The skin lesions are usually purple in color. They can appear singularly, in a limited area, or be widespread. Lesions may be flat or raised.

Kaposi's sarcoma, multiple haemorrhagic sarcoma
Other names	Kaposi sarcoma
Kaposi sarcoma. Characteristic purple lesions on the nose in an HIV-positive female.
Pronunciation	/kæˈpoʊsiz/, /ˈkɑːpəsiz, ˈkæpə-/
Symptoms	Purple colored skin lesions
Types	Classic, endemic, immunosuppression therapy-related, epidemic
Risk factors	Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), poor immune function
Diagnostic method	Tissue biopsy, medical imaging
Differential diagnosis	Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome, pyogenic granuloma, melanocytic nevi, melanoma
Treatment	Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biologic therapy
Frequency	42,000 (new cases, 2018)
Deaths	20,000 (2018)

Kaposi's Sarcoma Media

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  An example of Kaposi's sarcoma

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  Patch stage Kaposi's sarcoma. Red to brownish irregularly shaped macules and plaques.

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  An HIV-positive person presenting with a Kaposi's sarcoma lesion with an overlying candidiasis infection in their mouth

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  Micrograph of a Kaposi sarcoma showing the characteristic spindle cells, high vascularity, and intracellular hyaline globs. H&E stain.

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  Micrograph of promontory sign in Kaposi's sarcoma in patch stage. Dilated irregular vascular channels surround a pre-existing vessel.

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  Micrograph of plaque stage, with bizarre vessels dissecting the upper dermis. There is erythrocyte extravasation and hemosiderin pigmentation.

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  Micrograph of tumor stage. Well-circumscribed spindle-cell tumor. Erythrocytes lie within poorly defined slit-like vascular spaces.