Unusual presentation of oropharyngeal Kaposi's sarcoma

The aim of this article is to focus ear, nose, and throat (ENT) practitioners on a pathology rarely seen within the head and neck mucosa.

A 62-year-old black African man was referred to our ENT department for dysphagia and hoarseness. Physical ENT examination revealed a smooth normal mucosal mass on the left lateral pharyngeal wall, which masked the inlet of the larynx, and bilateral cervical lymph nodes but no other mucosal lesions. Anti-human immunodeficiency virus antibodies were found to be negative. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell count, and platelet count were normal. Serum protein electrophoresis was also normal. A CT scan confirmed the lesion and lymph node involvement. Treatment consisted of a transoral endoscopic resection with ligature of the pedicle, with the patient under general anesthesia. The patient's improved medical condition permitted 11 cycles of bleomycin (15 mg/3 weeks).

A 5-month fibroscopic follow-up control showed no recurrence, and total clinical regression was observed after 1 year. Three years later, all ENT lesions had disappeared, with no adenopathy or mucosal lesions.

Kaposi's sarcoma is a pathology that the ENT practitioner must keep in mind when patients present with a laryngopharyngeal mass. The symptomatic cases were all surgically treated; however, death subsequently occurred.