Kaposi's Sarcoma and HIV
Kaposi's sarcoma is an early warning sign of HIV infection. It is a tumor that is caused by an association of the Human herpes virus (HHV8) and the HIV virus that has weakened the immune system. Kaposi's sarcoma presents as lesions that are typically found on the skin, but can also occur in the mouth, the gastrointestinal tract, and the lungs.
On the skin, the tumors are usually raised, red, purple, brown, or black lesions. They most commonly occur on the feet, legs, hands, arms, or face, but can be found on any part of the skin. Symptoms caused by skin lesions range from no symptoms to pain and swelling to severe disfigurement.
In the mouth, lesions usually occur on the hard palate, but can also be found on the gums. These lesions tend to bleed easily, are prone to cause secondary infections, and can interfere with eating and speaking. Gastrointestinal lesions can cause pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding (which can be seen in vomit or diarrhea), weight loss, and/or intestinal blockage.
When the lungs are affected by Kaposi's sarcoma, fever, shortness of breath, and/or coughing up blood can occur. When the lungs are extensively involved, Kaposi's sarcoma can be fatal.
Diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma is confirmed through biopsy of skin lesions, endoscopy, and bronchoscopy. There is not a cure for Kaposi's sarcoma, but there are treatments to help ease the symptoms caused by the lesions. Antiretroviral drugs can shrink the lesions. Radiation therapy and cryotherapy have been used to treat tumors locally. Chemotherapy can also be helpful. However effective the treatment, Kaposi's sarcoma lesions can return and pose a threat to the health and life of a person infected with the HIV virus. Fortunately, the highly effective drugs currently available to treat HIV has helped to prevent advanced and aggressive Kaposi's sarcoma from developing in HIV patients.
In the mouth, lesions usually occur on the hard palate, but can also be found on the gums. These lesions tend to bleed easily, are prone to cause secondary infections, and can interfere with eating and speaking. Gastrointestinal lesions can cause pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding (which can be seen in vomit or diarrhea), weight loss, and/or intestinal blockage.
When the lungs are affected by Kaposi's sarcoma, fever, shortness of breath, and/or coughing up blood can occur. When the lungs are extensively involved, Kaposi's sarcoma can be fatal.
Diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma is confirmed through biopsy of skin lesions, endoscopy, and bronchoscopy. There is not a cure for Kaposi's sarcoma, but there are treatments to help ease the symptoms caused by the lesions. Antiretroviral drugs can shrink the lesions. Radiation therapy and cryotherapy have been used to treat tumors locally. Chemotherapy can also be helpful. However effective the treatment, Kaposi's sarcoma lesions can return and pose a threat to the health and life of a person infected with the HIV virus. Fortunately, the highly effective drugs currently available to treat HIV has helped to prevent advanced and aggressive Kaposi's sarcoma from developing in HIV patients.