Kaposi sarcoma is a type of cancer that causes purple, firm growths (lesions) to grow in the skin; the mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose and throat; the lymph nodes; or other parts of the body. These growths are made of cancer cells, blood vessels and red and white blood cells. They may be in different shapes and sizes. It is different from most other cancers, because it can affect more than one part of the body at the same time and can spread to other areas of the body through the blood or lymph system. This is called metastasis.
People with a weak immune system are more likely to get kaposi sarcoma than other people. It is caused by a herpesvirus (human herpesvirus 8). It may be passed on during sex, or through blood or saliva from mother to child. It was more common in the early days of the AIDS epidemic, but better treatment has reduced the number of cases.
Doctors can usually diagnose kaposi sarcoma by looking at the lesions and doing a physical examination. They will also ask about your general health and symptoms. If they think you have kaposi sarcoma, they will take a sample of the lesion and look at it under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis. They may need to do other tests to check how the cancer is spreading.
If you have a kidney transplant, a liver transplant or another organ transplant, you may be at higher risk of getting kaposi sarcoma as a side effect of the immunosuppressants used to stop your body rejecting the new organ. In these cases, doctors will reduce or stop your immunosuppressant medications if this is possible to help control the KS. They may also give you other types of treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
In some countries, there are clinical trials of new types of treatment for kaposi sarcoma. You might be able to take part in one of these trials. Ask your doctor if this is an option for you.
It is important to have regular follow-up care so that your doctor can see if the kaposi sarcoma is coming back or has spread. Your doctor might do blood tests, X-rays or CT scans to check how well your treatment is working. They might also do fine-needle aspiration biopsies or endoscopies, where a thin needle is used to remove a small amount of tissue from a skin lesion. You can also get support from groups such as Sarcoma UK and Rare Cancer Alliance.
