Localization | Kaposi’s Sarcoma

Localization

As already mentioned, Kaposi’s sarcoma very often occurs symmetrically on the legs, trunk and face. Kaposi’s sarcoma often starts at the feet and spreads towards the middle of the body. It manifests itself in the form of bluish-violet, flat to knotty skin florescences.

These can cause painful ulceration, especially on the feet, where a lot of friction is caused by pressure and wearing shoes. The same skin florescences can occur on the face as on the rest of the body. However, they can be psychologically more stressful for the affected persons, as they are visible to everyone at first sight.

Therapy

The basic principle is that, if possible, the trigger of Kaposi’s sarcoma must be combated or eliminated. Classical Kaposi’s sarcoma, which mainly affects older men from the Mediterranean region, usually responds well to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. With immunosuppression, a reduction in immunosuppressive drugs can lead to a complete reduction in Kaposi’s sarcoma. If the cause of Kaposi’s sarcoma is AIDS, drug antiretroviral therapy is a successful treatment for both HIV and Kaposi’s sarcoma. Despite these guidelines, individual treatment should be decided upon with your treating physician.

History

The course and prognosis of the disease logically depend on the severity of the disease. If the skin is only locally affected, the prognosis is better than if there is a disseminated infection of the internal organs. The course of the disease depends strongly on whether an adequate therapy is initiated in time.

Kaposi’s sarcoma often regresses under HIV therapy. Here too, the course of the disease depends on the individual patient’s health and the therapy that has been initiated.