Kaposi sarcoma is a cancer that develops in the innermost layers of blood vessels and the most common manifestation is the appearance of purple-red skin lesions, which can occur anywhere in the body.
The cause of Kaposi sarcoma is an infection with a subtype of viruses in the herpes family called HHV 8, which can be transmitted sexually and through saliva. Infection with this virus is not enough for the development of cancer in healthy people, and it is necessary that the individual has a weakened immune system, as in HIV-positive or elderly people.
- It is important to identify and treat Kaposi sarcoma to prevent complications.
- And your doctor may indicate chemotherapy.
- Radiation therapy.
- Or immunotherapy.
Kaposi sarcoma usually develops due to an infection with a virus in the herpes family, HHV-8, but it can also be a consequence of HIV infection, both sexually transmitted. However, the development of Kaposi sarcoma is directly related to the person’s immune system.
In general, Kaposi sarcoma can be categorized into 3 main types based on the factor influencing its development in:
In addition to these, there is also Kaposi’s endemic or African sarcoma, which is quite aggressive and affects young people in the African region.
Kaposi sarcoma can be fatal when it reaches the blood vessels of other organs, such as the lungs, liver or gastrointestinal tract, causing a hemorrhage that is difficult to control.
The most common symptoms of Kaposi sarcoma are purple-red skin lesions that spread throughout the body and swelling of the lower extremities due to water retention. In black skin, lesions can be brown or black. In the most severe cases, where Kaposi sarcoma affects the gastrointestinal system, liver or lungs, bleeding may occur in these organs, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
When the cancer reaches the lungs, it can cause respiratory failure, chest pain and blood sputum.
Diagnosis of Kaposi sarcoma can be made by a biopsy in which the cells are taken for analysis, an x-ray to identify any changes in the lungs, or an endoscopy to detect gastrointestinal changes.
Kaposi sarcoma is curable, but depends on the state of the patient’s disease, age and state of the immune system.
“Kaposi sarcoma can be treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and medication. The use of antiretroviral drugs also helps reduce disease development and promotes the regression of skin lesions, especially in AIDS patients.
In some cases, surgery, usually indicated for people with a small number of injuries, may be performed when they are removed.