Kaposi's sarcoma (patient information)
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-in-Chief: Jinhui Wu, MD
Please Join in Editing This Page and Apply to be an Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [1] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.
What is Kaposi's sarcoma?
Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a cancer caused by the Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV). Someone who is infected with KSHV is more likely to develop Kaposi sarcoma if he is infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Usual symptoms may be lesions on the surface of skin, or painful swelling in the legs, groin area, or skin around the eyes. Besides, Kaposi's sarcoma can cause serious problems such as bleeding and difficulty breathing when the lesions are in internal organs. Treatments include local therapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and biologic therapy.
How do I know if I have Kaposi's sarcoma and what are the symptoms of Kaposi's sarcoma?
Usual symptoms include skin and internal organs.
- Skin lesions: The lesions can develop anywhere on the body, but most often on the legs, nose, the feet. Typical lesions begin as flat or slightly raised pink or red spots. With the developement of the disease, the colour of the lesions may be change into blue, purple, or brown.
- Mouth and throat lesions: The disease may cause sore, ooze, bleed, or swallow and breath problems in mouth and throat.
- Lesions in gastrointestinal tract: The sarcoma may cause bleeding, anemia, abdominal pain and discomfort, even bowel obstruction.
- Lesions in lung: When Kaposi's sarcoma in lung, it can make coughing, bloody sputum, shortness of breath, and fever.
Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only a doctor can tell for sure. A person with any of these symptoms should tell the doctor so that the problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.
Who is at risk for Kaposi's sarcoma?
How to know you have Kaposi's sarcoma?
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for Kaposi's sarcoma?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Kaposi's sarcoma
Prevention of Kaposi's sarcoma
What to expect (Outook/Prognosis)?
The prognosis of Kaposi's sarcoma depends on the following:
- The type of Kaposi sarcoma
- Whether the cancer has spread
- Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred
- The patient's general health, especially the immune system.
Copyleft Sources
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/kaposis/patient
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_1x_what_is_kaposis_sarcoma_21.asp?sitearea=cri