Kaposi Sarcoma

Kaposi Sarcoma at a Glance

• Kaposi sarcoma is a disease in which cancer cells form in the tissue lining the lymph vessels under the skin or in mucous membranes.
• There are many types of Kaposi sarcoma.
• The spread of Kaposi sarcoma with the body depends upon the type.
• Main symptom is a lesion that grows under the skin or in the lining of the mouth or throat, or in the tissue of organs.

What is Kaposi Sarcoma?

Kaposi sarcoma is a form of cancer that causes lesions (abnormal tissue) to grow under the skin, in the lining of the mouth, nose, and throat, or in other organs. The lesions are usually purple and are made of cancer cells, new blood vessels, and white blood cells. Kaposi sarcoma is different from other cancers in that lesions may begin in more than one place in the body at the same time.

Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) is found in the lesions of all patients with Kaposi sarcoma. This virus is also called Kaposi sarcoma herpes virus (KSHV). Most people infected with HHV-8 do not get Kaposi sarcoma. Patients who have immune systems weakened by disease or by drugs given after an organ transplant, are most likely to develop Kaposi sarcoma.

Types of Kaposi Sarcoma

There are several types of Kaposi sarcoma, including:

• Classic Kaposi sarcoma.
• African Kaposi sarcoma.
• Immunosuppressive treatment-related Kaposi sarcoma.
• Epidemic Kaposi sarcoma.
• Nonepidemic Kaposi sarcoma.