Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a kind of cancer that develops in the lining of your lymphatic and blood vessels with the formation of small tumors on your skin, mouth, nose, eyes, and anus that appear as purple, brown, or red patches. In extreme cases, these tumors, also known as lesions, might infect your lungs, stomach, intestine, liver, and glands and impact your immune system severely. In this article, we will inform you of the causes, symptoms, types, diagnosis, and treatment of Kaposi sarcoma to improve the knowledge of would-be medical professionals.
Kaposi Sarcoma Types
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Epidemic (AIDS-Related):
This type of
Kaposi sarcoma is associated with the AIDS epidemic. Kaposi sarcoma HIV is more common in people infected by the human immunodeficiency virus, which causes AIDS.
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Immunosuppression (transplant-related):
Individuals who have undergone organ transplants may develop this kind of KS associated with using immunosuppressive medications to manage their immune systems after the organ transplant.
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Classic(Mediterranean):
Older men from Eastern European, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern areas are prone to this type of Kapasi sarcoma. It usually grows slowly and manifests with symptoms such as swollen legs.
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Endemic (African):
Many people, especially young men and women, may carry KSHV infection in particular regions of Equatorial Africa, increasing their chance of getting Kaposi sarcoma.
Kaposi Sarcoma Causes
The cause of Kaposi sarcoma is the human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), also known as Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). In healthy individuals, the infections normally don’t create any major symptoms. Still, in people with poor immune systems, when infected by HHV-8, it turns healthy cells into cancerous cells, which can lead to Kaposi sarcoma. A few factors increase the possibility that HHV-8 will develop into Kaposi sarcoma, as explained below.
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Ethnicity:
Individuals of Jewish or Mediterranean origin are more prone to classic Kaposi sarcoma. The risk of Kaposi sarcoma is also higher among the population living in the equatorial African region.
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Age:
Classic Kaposi sarcoma mostly affects people between 40 and 70.
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Lack of immunity
: Individuals with a poor immunity level following organ transplantation and HIV/AIDS are more susceptible to Kaposi sarcoma.
Kaposi Sarcoma Symptoms
Kaposi sarcoma produces a variety of symptoms depending on the parts of the body being affected. The primary symptoms include:
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Lesions on the Skin:
The initial signs of Kaposi sarcoma are observed as red, purple, or brown patches on the skin caused by cancerous cells. These marks can be flat or raised and appear on different body parts, including the feet, legs, and face.
-
Lesions on mucous membranes:
Lesions appear on
the mouth
,
eyes, anus, and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract that cause problems eating and swallowing.
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Lesions inside the body:
In the advanced stage of KS, the patient may have trouble breathing or cough up blood when lesions develop inside the lungs. Lesions inside the gastrointestinal system can result in pain, vomiting, and bloody bowels.
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Lesions on lymph nodes:
Lesions developed on lymph nodes restrict the flow of lymphatic fluid throughout your body and can cause severe swelling in the arms, legs, face, or groin region.
Kaposi Sarcoma and HIV
As HIV-positive individuals have a weak immune system, they are more susceptible to developing malignancies, such as Kaposi's sarcoma. Symptoms may be more apparent, and skin lesions might appear sooner, although AIDS is the primary cause of most severe cases.
Kaposi Sarcoma Diagnosis
Due to its rarity, early detection and diagnosis may sometimes be difficult. Proper diagnosis with early signs of disease can reduce the spread of cancer to multiple organs. A physician will examine your skin, mouth, rectum, and lymphatic systems to determine whether you have any signs of Kaposi sarcoma. The diagnosis process usually involves the following:
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Skin Biopsy:
Little bits of tissue from the lesions will be extracted and tested in a lab to verify whether Kaposi sarcoma is present in the samples.
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Bronchoscopy:
To get a closer look at the trachea and airways, the doctor can advise a bronchoscopy if the patient is experiencing breathing issues.
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Endoscopy/Colonoscopy:
Doctors could suggest an endoscopy or colonoscopy if a patient has stomach pain or discomfort.
-
Imaging Tests:
Doctors often
suggest an X-ray or CT scan that can help
determine
if the infection has progressed to your lungs, lymph nodes, or other parts of your body.
Kaposi Sarcoma Treatments
Kaposi sarcoma treatment aims to control the spread of cancer by recognizing the symptoms. The severity of the problem and the appropriate diagnosis will determine the most suitable approaches for treatment. Although the signs may appear locally, physicians decide on the course of therapy, apprehending the spread of infection into other parts. Some of the best ways to treat Kaposi sarcoma are as follows:
Enhancing the Immune System
Treatment for strengthening the immune system is a crucial course of action to restrict the spread of cancer. People with immunological deficiencies may not sustain other types of prolonged treatment, such as chemotherapies.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy may be necessary for patients, depending on the extent of cancerous growth. Chemotherapy uses strong medicines to kill cancer cells and may be a viable treatment choice when Kaposi sarcoma affects many body parts.
Localized Therapies
After confirming that the infection is localized and not spreading to other body parts, doctors can apply local therapies, including radiation or injection, to destroy the cancer cells of that specific portion of the body.
Kaposi sarcoma is not a very common but a complicated disease that has varied impacts on individuals. Kaposi sarcoma can be related to the infection of HIV/AIDS in some individuals, which weakens the immunity power.
For some, it is a negative consequence of the medication received post-organ transplantation. There is a high chance of getting cured of Kaposi sarcoma based on a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
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