Kaposi's sarcoma of the conjunctiva

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is an AIDS-defining illness that can manifest in various organs.
• Ocular involvement in KS is rare but can significantly impact vision and quality of life.

Observation:

• A 75-year-old male patient with a three-year history of Kaposi's sarcoma presented with chronic hemorrhagic thickening of the conjunctiva.
• Histopathological examination of the conjunctival lesion confirmed sarcoma involvement.

Findings:

• The conjunctival Kaposi's sarcoma lesion was deemed surgically untenable due to its extent and nature.
• The patient experienced a satisfactory response to radiotherapy treatment for the ocular lesion.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of considering ocular involvement in patients with disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma.
• Radiotherapy presents a viable and effective treatment option for conjunctival Kaposi's sarcoma when surgical intervention is not practical.