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Posttransplant Kaposi's sarcoma: report from a single center.
J-Y Huang1, Y-J Chiang, P-C Lai
1Department of Nephrology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. healthwu@yahoo.com.tw
Transplantation Proceedings
|November 3, 2004
Summary
Posttransplant Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a recognized complication. This study found that lymph node involvement is common, and reducing immunosuppression aids recovery, with human herpes virus-8 (HHV-8) linked to KS development.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Oncology
- Virology
Background:
- Posttransplant Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a significant concern in organ recipients.
- Understanding KS clinical patterns and risk factors is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical features of Kaposi's sarcoma in renal transplant recipients.
- To assess the impact of immunosuppressive therapy on KS development and outcomes.
- To determine the association of human herpes virus-8 (HHV-8) with posttransplant KS.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 568 renal transplant recipients.
- Analysis of clinical manifestations, immunosuppressive regimens, and outcomes in four KS patients.
- Detection of HHV-8 using polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization in affected individuals.
Main Results:
- The incidence of KS was 0.7% among renal transplant recipients.
- Lymphadenopathy was the primary presentation in most cases; visceral involvement occurred in one patient.
- HHV-8 was detected in KS specimens, and three patients showed tumor regression after calcineurin inhibitor withdrawal.
Conclusions:
- Lymph node involvement is the most frequent clinical presentation of KS post-renal transplantation.
- HHV-8 infection is associated with the development of posttransplant Kaposi's sarcoma.
- Early cessation of calcineurin inhibitors can lead to favorable outcomes in patients with posttransplant KS.