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Kaposi sarcoma is a type of cancer that forms in the lining of blood vessels and lymph vessels. The cancer forms growths of cells, called lesions, on the skin. The lesions often form on the face, arms and legs. The lesions may look pink, red, purple or brown.
Lesions also can appear on the genitals or in the mouth. In severe Kaposi sarcoma, lesions can be in the digestive tract and lungs.
The cause of Kaposi sarcoma is infection with the virus human herpes virus 8, also called HHV-8. In healthy people, this infection usually causes no symptoms because the immune system keeps it under control. In someone with a weakened immune system, however, HHV-8 can lead to Kaposi sarcoma.
Types of Kaposi sarcoma include:
Kaposi sarcoma signs and symptoms include:
The growths, called lesions, most often happen on the face, arms or legs. They usually don't cause discomfort.
If Kaposi sarcoma isn't treated, the lesions can get bigger. They may cause:
Kaposi sarcoma also can affect areas you can't see. It can grow in the digestive tract or lungs. When Kaposi sarcoma happens in the digestive tract, symptoms may include:
Make an appointment with a doctor or other healthcare professional if you have symptoms that worry you.
The human herpes virus 8 causes Kaposi sarcoma. Healthcare professionals believe this virus, also called HHV-8, spreads from person to person through saliva. It also may be passed through blood.
When a healthy person gets the HHV-8 virus, that person's immune system is likely to control it. The virus may stay in the body, but it doesn't cause any problems. If something happens to weaken the immune system, the virus may no longer be controlled. This can lead to Kaposi sarcoma.
Risk factors for Kaposi sarcoma include:
A healthcare professional may recommend removing a small piece of a skin lesion for testing. This procedure is called a skin biopsy. The sample is sent to a lab for testing. Lab tests can look for signs of cancer.
A skin biopsy can confirm Kaposi sarcoma.
Other tests might be needed to look for Kaposi sarcoma in the lungs or the digestive tract.
Tests to find Kaposi sarcoma in the digestive tract might include:
Tests to find Kaposi sarcoma in the lungs might include:
There's no cure for Kaposi sarcoma. But there are many treatment options that can help control it. Some people may not need treatment right away. Instead, the condition might be monitored to make sure it's not getting worse. Treatment depends on:
Thanks to better antiviral medicines to treat AIDS and ways to prevent it, Kaposi sarcoma has become less common and less severe in people with AIDS. Taking antiviral medicines can lower the amount of the virus that causes HIV/AIDS and make the immune system stronger. This might be the only treatment needed for Kaposi sarcoma.
Some people with transplant-related Kaposi sarcoma may be able to stop taking the medicines that are controlling the immune system or switch to another medicine.
Treatments for small skin lesions might include:
Lesions treated in any of these ways are likely to return within a couple of years. When this happens, treatment often can be repeated.
If Kaposi sarcoma causes many skin lesions, other treatments might be needed, such as:
Start by seeing a doctor or other healthcare professional if you have any symptoms that worry you. If your health professional thinks you might have Kaposi sarcoma, you might need to see a specialist. Specialists who care for people with Kaposi sarcoma include:
When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance.
Make a list of:
You may want to bring a friend or family member along to help you remember the information you're given.
For Kaposi sarcoma, some basic questions to ask include:
Don't hesitate to ask other questions.
Your healthcare professional may ask questions about your symptoms, such as: