Question:

Is it possible to have kaposi's sarcoma and be HIV negative?

Answer provided by:

Mark H. Katz, M.D.
Regional HIV/AIDS Physician Coordinator
Kaiser Permanente of Southern California

Kaposi's sarcoma has existed long before we knew about HIV, and was typically seen in older men of Mediterranean extraction (and the tumor behaved a bit differently than it does in persons with HIV).

We now know it is caused by a virus in the herpes family, so-called HHV-8. Most all KS seen today occurs in persons with HIV BUT there are case reports of HIV-negative persons having this condition nevertheless. This would amount to a fraction of a percent of all KS seen today.

If anyone is newly diagnosed with KS today, it should be considered they also have HIV UNTIL an antibody test docments otherwise.

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