KAPOSI'S SARCOMA - AN EMERGING EPIDEMIC NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1982. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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KAPOSI'S SARCOMA - AN EMERGING EPIDEMIC

Cancer Bull; 34(2):72-74 1982. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/82621641
Mansell PW; Div. Cancer Prevention, M. D. Anderson Hosp. and Tumor Inst.,; Houston, TX

Abstract: The pathobiology of Kaposi's sarcoma and the recent outbreak of the disease (greater than 200 cases) that has occurred among young male homosexuals are described. Kaposi's sarcoma may be associated with the DNA virus cytomegalovirus. It is also associated with immunosuppression and is a frequent second primary disease among cancer patients. The recent outbreak appears to be spreading from New York City, where 55% of the cases have originated. The population at risk (24-40 yr old) falls in age between that typical of American and European patients (60-70 yr) and that of African patients (less than 20 yr). All patients thus far examined have had anti-hepatitis B antibody or hepatitis B surface antigen, as well as anticytomegalovirus antibody titers. Cytomegalovirus has been cultured from tumor tissue in several cases. All patients in the outbreak have so far been immunosuppressed. The immunological defect appears to be progressive and long-lasting. All patients have had a history of sexually transmitted diseases, some with multiple manifestations such as hepatitis, genital herpes, gonorrhea, and condyloma. Mortality has been exceptionally high, with death occurring in a high percentage of patients within 20 mo, subsequent to unsuccessful combination chemotherapy with doxorubicin, bleomycin, Velban, and dacarbazine. Possible etiologic factors contributing to this outbreak and to malignant transformation in general are discussed. (23 Refs)
Keywords: Adult Africa Age Factors Aged Disease Outbreaks Ear, External Europe Extremities Homosexuality Human Immunosuppression/ADVERSE EFFECTS Lymphatic Metastasis Male Middle Age Sarcoma, Kaposi's/DIAGNOSIS/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/ETIOLOGY Skin Manifestations United States Virus Diseases/COMPLICATIONS JOURNAL ARTICLE REVIEW

KWDadultafricaagefactorsageddiseaseoutbreaksear,externaleuropeextremitieshomosexualityhumanimmunosuppression/adverseeffectslymphaticmetastasismalemiddleagesarcoma,kaposi's/diagnosis/KWDepidemiology/etiologyskinmanifestationsunitedstatesvirusdiseases/complicationsjournalarticlereview
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Copyright © 1982 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

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