Kaposi’s sarcoma is a cancer characterized by the development of spots on the skin, mouth, nose, throat, lymph vessels, and other organs. These spots are usually purplish red in color and are associated with cancer cells or blood cells.

These red and purple spots are usually not associated with any symptoms despite the fact that they can be painful.

In the context where cancer cells spread to the digestive tract or the lungs, abnormal bleeding may appear as well as a more or less significant respiratory deficiency. (1)

Examinations of the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and skin are often performed in diagnosing the disease. In the context where the presence of Kaposi’s sarcoma has been demonstrated, other tests can identify whether cancer cells have developed in other parts of the body. (2)

Kaposi’s sarcoma is a rare chronic disease directly linked to a primary infection with human herpes virus 8 (HHV8) or even the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). (3)

 Different forms of the disease have been demonstrated: (3)

• the classic form, characterized by very rare chronicity. This form causes tumors in the skin. The people most prone to this type of Kaposi’s sarcoma are more generally the elderly with a predominance of men;
• the endemic form is characteristic of mass development in East Africa. This form concerns both children and adults, often young. It is a more serious pathological type that can affect the lymph nodes and viscera;
• the form of the transplant is, as the name suggests, identified in patients who have undergone a transplant and are undergoing treatment with immunosuppressants.

In the Western world, this pathology affects more male homosexuals or bisexuals affected by HIV. (3)

The symptoms associated with Kaposi’s sarcoma are primarily cutaneous. These are spots, redness and swelling on the skin but also on the mucous membranes, especially in the mouth. However, these clinical manifestations can also develop in other parts of the body.

These characteristic patches and bumps are usually painless and purple-red in color. It is also possible to distinguish bruises around the tumors.

 Other symptoms may also appear, such as:

• lymphoedemas which are tumors located in the lymph nodes. These can then block the lymphatic circulation and thus cause accumulations of lymphatic fluid in certain parts of the body. The affected limbs are then heavy and sore;
• lung problems caused by the development of tumors in the lungs. These disorders cause a blockage in breathing and cause shortness of breath, cough and chest pain;
• digestive disorders caused by the development of tumors in the gastrointestinal tract. The associated symptoms are then nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea or bleeding from the rectum;
• flu-like symptoms: fatigue, fever, pain, body aches, weight loss, etc.

Kaposi’s sarcoma is directly linked to a primary infection with two types of viruses:

– human herpes virus 8 (HHV8);

– human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

These viruses are transmitted during sexual contact, by vertical transmission (from mother to child) or even through saliva.

A greater prevalence of the disease has been detected in the male homosexual population. The transmission of these viruses within this population is mainly through the sexual route.

However, children, women and heterosexuals are more generally affected. by mother-to-child transmission or through saliva. (3)

There are, however, a large number of individuals who are carriers of the disease but do not show any symptoms. These “healthy carriers” can be the source of human-to-human contaminations during organ or blood donation. (3)

Many questions as to the possible origins of the disease remain. Although a strong link between infection with HHV8 viruses and HIV has been demonstrated, interactions with the immune system are yet to be elucidated.

In this sense, the nature of the development of tumor cells characteristic of Kaposi’s sarcoma is still, to this day, little known. (3)

The risk factors associated with the development of Kaposi’s sarcoma are:

– primary infection with human herpes virus 8 (HHV8);

– a primary infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

In addition, a higher prevalence for this pathology has been observed in heterosexual men. Which makes it an additional risk factor for this population.

In view of the lack of knowledge on the exact origins of the development of the disease, other risk factors may also be associated with it, but they remain, to this day, still poorly understood.

The diagnosis of Kaposi’s sarcoma is based on a set of examinations of the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs, such as: (2)

• physical examinations and the patient’s history make it possible to identify general signs characteristic of the disease, such as skin swelling, for example. An inventory of habits in terms of health, lifestyle or taking certain treatments can also guide the diagnosis;
• x-ray of the lungs, bones and other organs allows an image to be obtained of the sites favorable to the development of the tumor;
• a tissue biopsy can be done to check for the possible presence of cancer cells.
• an endoscopy or a bronchoscopy may be performed in order to demonstrate lesions originating from Kaposi’s sarcoma in the gastrointestinal tract or the lungs.

The treatment of Kaposi’s sarcoma involves medication against HIV, but also radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Antiretroviral therapy used against HIV can act on the skin lesions associated with Kaposi’s sarcoma. However, the reduction in symptoms may take a long time (over a few months). (5)

As for radiotherapy, the latter allows, thanks to the use of high energy rays, to destroy tumor cells. In addition, the side effects associated with radiotherapy result in fatigue and redness, darkening or burning of the skin.

Treatment with chemotherapy is defined as taking anti-cancer drugs.

Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs.

The adverse effects of this method result from loss of appetite, hair loss, general weakness, anemia, nausea, ulcers, etc. (5)