In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Kaposi’s sarcomas are categorized as a rare type of cancer. The place of Kaposi’s sarcomas in our body are subcutaneous tissues and mucous membranes. HIV-positive people are at high risk of Kaposi’s sarcomas. Additionally, people who have undergone organ transplantation are at risk of developing this disease.
Kaposi’s sarcoma is an extremely rare type of cancer that weakens our body’s immune system. Kaposi’s sarcomas are most often found in the mucous membranes and subcutaneous tissues. Later in the sarcoma can spread and affect most of the internal organs.
Kaposi’s sarcomas – causes
Once, sarcoma was a completely unknown disease. Only the rapid spread of HIV has led to the spread of sarcoma, which currently occurs everywhere in the world. As a cancer, Kaposi’s sarcomas need our body’s cells. As a result of mutations, these cells change into cells with reproductive properties, thereby creating a tumor. Kaposi’s sarcomas have an exceptionally characteristic structure. Their structure is based on capillaries and nodules built on their basis. Type 8 herpes is the most common cause of sarcoma in a patient. In healthy patients, type 8 herpes can be healed easily and without any deeper complications. The situation is different in people infected with HIV or people who have undergone an organ or organ transplant. These people suffer from so-called immunopressure, i.e. a weakened immune system, which makes Kaposi’s sarcoma easily develop in cells.
Kaposi’s sarcomas – types
Kaposi’s sarcomas are categorized into 4 types due to differences in their occurrence. These categories are:
- Endemic form: The most common place of endemic occurrence is Africa. Both sexes are at risk of infection. In the case of an endemic form, sarcoma can take both a milder and an aggressive form. In some African countries it is the most common cancer. It can affect both lymph nodes and internal organs, which makes treatment very difficult
- Classic form: Kaposi’s sarcomas in their classic form are found in Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean basin. They appear as small lumps on the skin.
- AIDS-related personality: It is the most dangerous type of sarcoma and the most common cancer in HIV-positive people. It quickly affects internal organs, and treatment is extremely difficult and often ineffective.
Kaposi’s sarcomas – symptoms
Kaposi’s sarcomas lead to various skin lesions, most often nodular or flat, red or purple in color. These nodules can vary in size and sometimes penetrate the skin down to the bone. Stains may also appear around the mouth and mucous membranes, which is the beginning of the sarcoma of the digestive system. It is often asymptomatic, but in some cases the patient may experience vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain. Later, the disease begins to affect the internal organs, usually asymptomatic, but in the case of lung involvement, coughing and shortness of breath may occur, these symptoms should prompt the patient to see a specialist.