Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1985. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
OVERVIEW OF CLASSICAL AND EPIDEMIC KAPOSI'S SARCOMA
AIDS. The Epidemic of Kaposi's Sarcoma and Opportunistic Infections. Friedman-Kien AE, Laubenstein LJ, eds. New York, Masson, p. 22-34, 1984.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/85610685 Friedman-Kien AE; Ostreicher R; New York Univ. Medical Center New York, NY 10016
Abstract:
Epidemiologic and clinical aspects of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) are reviewed, and the classic form of the disease is compared with the epidemic form. Classic KS is a rare, benign, indolent tumor of elderly white men who are of Eastern European Jewish or Italian origin, characterized by multifocal discolored nodules and occasional systemic manifestations late in its course. An African form of KS is an aggressive invasive tumor of young black men and some women. A form with generalized lymphadenopathy exists among black children. An increased incidence of KS is found in immunosuppressed patients (pts), and disseminated KS is a prominent feature of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Epidemic KS, first recognized in 1981, occurs primarily in sexually active homosexual or bisexual men and is frequently associated with severe opportunistic infections. Shared characteristics among these pts include highly promiscuous sexual activity with multiple partners, multiple sexually transmitted diseases, multiple viral diseases, intestinal infections, repeated antibiotic courses, and recreational drugs. Most pts with epidemic KS have impaired cellular immunity and normal humoral immunity. Prodromal symptoms include lymphadenopathy, fever, wt loss, diarrhea, and malaise. About one third of AIDS pts eventually develop KS. The mucocutaneous symptoms of epidemic KS are more varied than those of the classical form and can appear on any cutaneous or mucosal surface. Histopathologic specimens from the various forms are indistinguishable, evolving from pink discolorations to violaceous macules, then to indurated plaques, and finally to nodules. Tumor cells are probably of endothelial origin and appear to arise de novo in multiple sites. (101 Refs)
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*COMPLICATIONS/IMMUNOLOGY Adult Africa Aged Comparative Study Cytomegalovirus Infections/COMPLICATIONS Disease Outbreaks/*EPIDEMIOLOGY Ethnic Groups Europe/ETHNOLOGY Female Herpesviridae Infections/COMPLICATIONS Homosexuality Human Italy/ETHNOLOGY Jews Lymphatic Diseases/COMPLICATIONS Male Middle Age Retroviridae Infections/COMPLICATIONS Sarcoma, Kaposi's/COMPLICATIONS/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/IMMUNOLOGY Skin Neoplasms/COMPLICATIONS/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/IMMUNOLOGY United States MEETING PAPER REVIEW
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Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1985. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
