Kaposi Sarcoma: Causes, Symptoms, Types, Diagnosis

Kaposi sarcoma, often called Kaposi's sarcoma, is one type of soft tissue sarcoma. It affects patients infected with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), a rare virus that also targets immunocompromised individuals.

Normal cells are stimulated by the virus to grow into malignant cells. Despite the wide range of manifestations of Kaposi sarcoma, all of them result in the development of tumors, or malignant lesions, on the skin. This condition is curable by doctors, but it could relapse.

Causes Of Kaposi Sarcoma

Kaposi sarcoma arises when HHV-8 infects the cells lining your lymphatic and blood vessels. Less than 10% of Americans are infected with the virus, which replicates and leaves lesions in healthy cells. The probability that HHV-8 will progress to Kaposi sarcoma is increased by a few risk factors. Among the variables at risk are:

• Ethnicity: People with Mediterranean or Jewish ancestry are more likely to develop classic Kaposi sarcoma. Those who reside in equatorial Africa have an increased risk of developing endemic Kaposi sarcoma.
• Sex: Kaposi sarcoma is more common in men and AMAB individuals than in women and those assigned female at birth (AFAB).
• Age: Classic Kaposi sarcoma affects patients between the ages of 40 and 70.
• Immune deficiency: People with HIV/AIDS who are immunosuppressed after receiving an organ transplant are more prone to Kaposi sarcoma.
• Sexual relations: Unprotected sexual activity increases the risk of HIV and HHV-8 infection, which are viruses mostly spread by bodily fluids.

Also Read: Angiosarcoma: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Treatment

Symptoms Of Kaposi Sarcoma

Everywhere on your body, Kaposi sarcoma can cause patches of abnormal tissue to appear. In addition to the tissue beneath the skin's surface, lesions can also develop in the mucosa lining your mouth, nose, or anus. Also susceptible to developing Kaposi sarcoma is the lining of internal organs, including the liver, lungs, and stomach.

The following are specific indications and symptoms:

• Patterns or dots of purple, brown, or red color. Smooth or lumpy areas could be present. On your body, they could appear in one or more places.
• Lymphedema may arise from a lesion obstructing a node of lymph.
• Breathing issues or blood in your cough caused lung lesions.
• Abdominal pain from stomach lesions as well as gastric hemorrhage, or blood in the stool
• Diarrhea, caused by lesions in the digestive system.
• Vomiting or constipation as a result of lesions blocking certain parts of the digestive system.
• Tongue discomfort caused by oral sores during eating.

Also Read: Behcet's Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment and Complications

Types Of Kaposi Sarcoma

There are four types of Kaposi sarcoma:

• Epidemic (associated with AIDS): The most common kind of Kaposi sarcoma in the United States is this one. Malignant tumors can appear anywhere on the body in people with HIV/AIDS-related acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or Kaposi sarcoma.
• Acquired sarcoma is a rare type of Kaposi sarcoma: Affected individuals are HHV-8 carriers who take immunosuppressants after receiving an organ or bone marrow transplant. Acquired Kaposi sarcoma frequently results in skin lesions.
• Classic Kaposi sarcoma: Also referred to as Mediterranean sarcoma, this type of cancer primarily affects men and individuals who are assigned male at birth (AMAB) and have Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, or Eastern European ancestry. Males and AMAB individuals 60 years of age or above are more susceptible. This sarcoma typically results in slow-growing skin lesions that gradually get bigger and more frequent. Lesions can also harm the internal organs.
• Endemic Kaposi sarcoma: Also known as African sarcoma, this type of cancer primarily affects people living in equatorial Africa. The conventional Kaposi sarcoma and this sarcoma are comparable. Compared to people with classic Kaposi sarcoma, people with endemic Kaposi sarcoma usually receive a diagnosis much sooner. The age difference is what makes the difference.

Also Read: Hurthle Cell Carcinoma: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment and Complications

Diagnosis Of Kaposi Sarcoma

A range of testing techniques are used by medical experts to diagnose Kaposi sarcoma. Tests might include:

• Radiography 
• Biopsy
• CT scan
• PET scan
• Endoscopy
• Bronchoscopy

Also Read: Salivary Gland Tumours: Causes, Symptoms, Types, Diagnosis and Treatment

Treatment Of Kaposi Sarcoma

Your healthcare professional will take a lot of factors into account when creating your treatment plan. These components might include:

• The type of sarcoma in Kaposi that you have.
• The amount of lesions you have, and where those lesions are placed.
• Your overall health and happiness.

For example, if you have Kaposi sarcoma coupled with AIDS, your doctor may recommend highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). If your doctor has determined that you have Kaposi sarcoma, they may modify or stop your immunosuppressive medication regimen. Other treatments might be:

• Topical medications
• Targeted therapy
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Surgery
• Cryotherapy

Complications Of Kaposi Sarcoma

Among the potential complications of Kaposi sarcoma are:

• Anemia: Damage to the digestive system brought on by internal bleeding from Kaposi sarcoma can cause anemia.
• Cancer: One of the cancers that individuals with classic Kaposi sarcoma may have is non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Also Read: Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma (UPS): Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Treatment

To scale up your NEET PG exam preparation with the best-in-class video lectures, QBank, Mock Tests and more, download the PrepLadder App!

Download PrepLadder's NEET PG preparation app for Android

Download PrepLadder's NEET PG preparation app for iOS