What is Kaposi Sarcoma?

What is Kaposi's sarcoma?

Kaposi's sarcoma is a type of cancer that grows mostly in the skin. The cancer occurs when normal cells turn into abnormal cells and grow out of control. There are different types of Kaposi's sarcoma. The less common type is called "classic" Kaposi's sarcoma. It is very rare and occurs mostly in older adults. It grows very slowly and does not always need to be treated.

Another, more common type of Kaposi's sarcoma occurs in people with HIV or AIDS. HIV is a virus that affects the body's infection-fighting system, also called the immune system. People with HIV can get sick easily because their immune system cannot fight infections or cancer well. The most serious stage of HIV infection, in which the immune system is very weak, is called AIDS. In people with HIV or AIDS, Kaposi's sarcoma usually grows rapidly and needs to be treated.

Kaposi's sarcoma can also occur in people who have had organ transplant surgery. Transplant surgery is when a doctor replaces a diseased organ (such as a kidney, heart or liver) with a healthy organ.

What are the symptoms of Kaposi's sarcoma?
When Kaposi's sarcoma first develops, it looks like a red, pink, purple, blue or brown area on the skin. It usually starts out flat, but may rise or fall. Kaposi's sarcoma often appears on the legs or feet, but it can also grow in the nose or genitals or mouth of people with HIV or AIDS. Sometimes Kaposi's sarcoma causes swelling of the legs (or other affected body parts). In people with HIV or AIDS, Kaposi's sarcoma can also grow inside the body, such as in the digestive system or lungs.

Kaposi's sarcoma in the digestive tract can cause the following:

Weight loss
Belly pain
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
Blood in bowel movements
Kaposi's sarcoma in the lungs and airways can cause

Difficulty breathing
Chest pain
Coughing or spitting up blood

Is there a test for Kaposi's sarcoma?
Yes. Your doctor will do an examination and order a test called a biopsy. For the biopsy, they take a small sample from the abnormal area. Another doctor will then look at the sample under a microscope. Other tests may be done to check for Kaposi's sarcoma in other parts of your body. This will depend on your symptoms and your individual situation.

What is cancer staging?
In general, cancer staging is a way for doctors to find out how far the cancer has spread in the body. Staging is not always necessary for Kaposi's sarcoma. Sometimes it is done for people with HIV or AIDS. Staging involves finding out how far the cancer has spread in the body. It also involves finding out how well the person's immune system is working and how healthy they are.

How is Kaposi's sarcoma treated?
Treatment depends on the type of Kaposi's sarcoma, the size and location of the growths.

People with slow-growing classic Kaposi's sarcoma may not need treatment right away. However, their doctor will monitor their condition closely to watch for changes.

People with Kaposi's sarcoma and HIV or AIDS are treated for HIV infection. This involves taking "antiretroviral" medicines. These medicines help to keep the HIV virus in the body under control, helping the immune system to work better and also to fight the cancer.

Other treatments for Kaposi's sarcoma may include

Surgery to remove the cancer
Radiation therapy: Radiation can kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is the medical term for drugs that kill cancer cells or stop their growth. Sometimes people get chemotherapy directly into their cancer. Other times people get chemotherapy through a thin tube called an "IV" that goes into a vein.
Medicines that are given directly to the areas of skin affected by cancer
Special stockings, called "compression stockings", which fit tightly on the leg: These can help reduce leg swelling.

What else should I do?
Follow all your doctor's instructions about visits and tests. It is also important to talk to your doctor about any side effects or problems you experience during treatment.

Receiving treatment for Kaposi's sarcoma may involve making many choices, such as which treatment to receive. Always let your doctor know how you feel about the treatment. Ask these questions when you are offered a treatment:

What are the benefits of this treatment? Is it likely to help me live longer? Will it reduce or prevent symptoms?
What are the disadvantages of this treatment?
Are there other options besides this treatment?
What happens if I do not have this treatment?

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:2024-04-24 16:56:27