Vascular tumour. Begins with small reddish-purple plaques and skin nodules on the legs and feet. May remain benign for many years. Usually associated with AIDS, but the classical form may also be seen in renal transplant and elderly male patients receiving cortisone preparations. The tumours may appear anywhere in the body, especially around eyes and nose, giving a bruised appearance.
Diagnosis is difficult to the inexperienced practitioner. Referral to a dermatologist for skin biopsy. Homosexuals are at risk from semen ejaculated into a foreign environment. The blood abnormality extends to the lymph system for which Lymphatics such as Echinacea, Saw Palmetto and Poke root are indicated. See: AIDS.
Treatment by a general medical practitioner or hospital specialist.
A cancerous tumour arising from blood vessels, usually in the skin. Kaposi’s sarcoma usually only occurs in those people who have AIDS. The tumours, which consist of pinkishbrown raised areas or flat patches, can spread rapidly. They usually start on the feet and ankles, spread up the legs, and then appear on the hands and arms.
Tumours can also affect the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, where they may cause severe internal bleeding.
Skin lesions may be treated with radiotherapy.
Anticancer drugs may be used for widespread skin disease or internal lesions.
a malignant tumour arising from blood vessels in the skin and appearing as purple to dark brown plaques or nodules. It is common in Africa and is sometimes seen in those of Mediterranean extraction, but more commonly occurs in patients with *AIDS. The tumour evolves slowly; radiotherapy is the treatment of choice for localized lesions but chemotherapy may be of value in metastatic disease. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (see antiretroviral drug) should be started in those with HIV infection as a first-line treatment. [M. Kaposi (1837–1902), Hungarian dermatologist]
A cancer of connective tissue, bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, nerve sheath, blood vessels or lymph system.... sarcoma
A cancer or tumour of the blood and/or lymphatic vessel walls. It usually appears as blue-violet to brownish skin blotches or lumps. Before the appearance of AIDS, it was rare in the developed world. AIDSassociated Kaposi’s sarcoma is much more aggressive than the earlier form of the disease and is associated with Human Herpes Virus 8.... kaposi’s sarcoma
An uncommon but very malignant cancer of the bone in children and young adults, the condition was ?rst identi?ed as being di?erent from OSTEOSARCOMA by Dr J Ewing in 1921. It usually occurs in the limbs or pelvis and soon spreads to other parts of the body. Treatment is by RADIOTHERAPY and CYTOTOXIC drugs. Since the use of the latter, the number of patients who survive for ?ve years or more has much improved.... ewing’s sarcoma
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