A malignant neoplasm characterized by a vascular proliferation which usually contains blunt endothelial cells. Erythrocyte extravasation and hemosiderin deposition are frequently present. The most frequent site of involvement is the skin; however it may also occur internally. It generally develops in people with compromised immune systems including those with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Kaposi sarcoma, sometimes called KS, is a type of cancer. It causes lesions (abnormal tissue) to grow in different parts of the body, including: The skin; Lymph nodes; Mucous membranes (the lining of the mouth, nose, and throat); Other organs. These lesions are usually red or purple. They are made of cancer cells, new blood vessels, and blood cells. The lesions may begin in more than one place in the body at the same time. This makes Kaposi sarcoma different from other cancers. Kaposi sarcoma is caused by infection with human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8). This virus is also called Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). Most people infected with this virus don't get Kaposi sarcoma. But certain people who get this virus are more likely to develop one of the types of Kaposi sarcoma: People with weakened immune systems due to HIV can develop epidemic (HIV-associated) Kaposi sarcoma.; People with weakened immune systems due to medicines they need to take after an organ transplant can develop iatrogenic (transplant-related) Kaposi sarcoma.; Older men of Mediterranean or Eastern European Jewish heritage can develop classic Kaposi sarcoma.; Young men in Africa can develop endemic (African) Kaposi sarcoma.. Kaposi sarcoma usually starts out as one or more red, purple, or brown skin lesions on the legs and feet. They are most often on the ankles or soles of the feet. Over time, lesions may form in other parts of the body. The lesions may not cause symptoms. But sometimes the lesions can cause problems, especially as you get more of them and they grow bigger. For example: Pressure from the lesions may block the flow of lymph and blood in the legs and cause painful swelling; If lesions grow in your stomach or intestines, they can bleed and may cause abdominal (belly) pain and diarrhea; Lesions in the lungs can also bleed and may cause shortness of breath. To find out whether you have Kaposi sarcoma, your health care provider: Will ask about your medical and family history; Will do a physical exam; May order a chest x-ray to look for Kaposi sarcoma in the lungs; May do a biopsy to check for Kaposi sarcoma lesions in the skin; May do an endoscopy to check for Kaposi sarcoma in the stomach and intestines; May do a bronchoscopy to check for Kaposi sarcoma in the lungs. If you do have Kaposi sarcoma, you will likely need blood and imaging tests to find out if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Which treatment(s) you get will depend on The type of Kaposi sarcoma you have; How many lesions you have and where in the body they are; What kinds of problems the lesions are causing; Your overall health. For people who have epidemic (HIV-associated) Kaposi sarcoma, taking HIV medicines may be enough to treat the Kaposi sarcoma. For people who have iatrogenic (transplant-related) Kaposi sarcoma, changing the dose of the medicines or switching medicines may be helpful. But some people with these types of Kaposi sarcoma will need additional treatment. The treatment options for Kaposi sarcoma may include: Radiation therapy; Surgery; Cryosurgery, a treatment that uses an instrument to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue; Chemotherapy; Immunotherapy. NIH: National Cancer Institute

(sarcoma, kaposi) A multicentric, malignant neoplastic vascular proliferation characterized by the development of bluish-red cutaneous nodules, usually on the lower extremities, most often on the toes or feet, and slowly increasing in size and number and spreading to more proximal areas. The tumors have endothelium-lined channels and vascular spaces admixed with variably sized aggregates of spindle-shaped cells, and often remain confined to the skin and subcutaneous tissue, but widespread visceral involvement may occur. Kaposi's sarcoma occurs spontaneously in Jewish and Italian males in Europe and the United States. An aggressive variant in young children is endemic in some areas of Africa. A third form occurs in about 0.04% of kidney transplant patients. There is also a high incidence in AIDS patients. (From Dorland, 27th ed & Holland et al., Cancer Medicine, 3d ed, pp2105-7) HHV-8 is the suspected cause.

(kaposi's sarcoma) A systemic disease which can present with cutaneous lesions with or without internal involvement. Tumors are caused by Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), also known as Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV).

(kaposi's sarcoma) A type of cancer characterized by the abnormal growth of blood vessels that develop into skin lesions or occur internally.

(kaposi's sarcoma) Multicentric, malignant neoplastic vascular proliferation characterized by the development of bluish-red cutaneous nodules, usually on the lower extremities, most often on the toes or feet, and slowly increasing in size and number and spreading to more proximal areas; occurs spontaneously in Jewish and Italian males; aggressive variant in young children is endemic in some areas of Africa; a third form occurs in about 0.04% of kidney transplant patients; there is also a high incidence in AIDS patients; human herpesvirus 8 is the suspected cause.

Kaposi sarcoma is a multicentric vascular tumor caused by herpesvirus type 8. It can occur in classic, AIDS-associated, endemic (in Africa), and iatrogenic (eg, after organ transplantation) forms. Diagnosis is by biopsy. Treatment for indolent superficial lesions involves cryotherapy, electrocoagulation, excision, or electron beam...

Frequency United States Before the AIDS epidemic, Kaposi sarcoma (Kaposi's sarcoma, KS) was rare. It was one of the earliest clinical presentations seen in the AIDS epidemic.

Kaposi's sarcoma is a type of cancer that forms in the lining of blood and lymph vessels. The tumors (lesions) of Kaposi's sarcoma typically appear as painless purplish spots on the legs, feet or face. Lesions can also appear in the genital area, mouth or lymph nodes. In severe Kaposi's sarcoma, lesions may develop in the digestive tract...

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a cancer that develops from the cells that line lymph or blood vessels. It usually appears as tumors on the skin or on mucosal surfaces such as inside the mouth, but tumors can also develop in other parts of the body (including the lymph nodes, lungs, or digestive tract). The abnormal cells of Kaposi sarcoma cause...

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a low-grade vasoformative neoplasm associated with human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) or Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) infection. Lesions frequently involve mucocutaneous sites, but may become more extensive to involve the lymph nodes and visceral organs. Skin lesions evolve from an early patch, to a plaque, and later...

Kaposi sarcoma, rare and usually lethal cancer of the tissues beneath the surface of the skin or of the mucous membranes. The disease can spread to other organs, including the liver, lungs, and intestinal tract. Kaposi sarcoma is characterized by red-purple or blue-brown lesions of the skin, mucous...