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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
08:49
Murine Ileocolic Bowel Resection with Primary Anastomosis
Published on: October 29, 2014
Refractory ulcerative colitis and iatrogenic colorectal Kaposi's sarcoma
C M Girelli1, G Serio, E Rocca
1First Division of Internal Medicine, Service of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, Hospital of Busto Arsizio, Italy. cargirel@libero.it
Summary
Colorectal Kaposi's sarcoma is rare in HIV-negative individuals, often linked to severe inflammatory bowel disease. This case suggests glucocorticosteroid therapy may trigger this rare tumor in ulcerative colitis patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
- Virology
Background:
- Colorectal Kaposi's sarcoma (CKS) is a rare mesenchymal tumor associated with human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8).
- CKS is exceptionally uncommon in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative individuals.
- It is predominantly observed in patients with severe, refractory inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Observation:
- This report details a case of CKS in an HIV-negative, heterosexual male patient.
- The patient had a history of severe, refractory ulcerative colitis (UC).
- CKS developed subsequent to the initiation of glucocorticosteroid therapy.
Findings:
- The patient presented with CKS, a rare condition in HIV-negative individuals.
- The tumor's occurrence post-glucocorticosteroid treatment in a UC patient is noteworthy.
- This case aligns with the hypothesis that CKS in UC may be iatrogenic.
Implications:
- The findings suggest a potential iatrogenic link between glucocorticosteroid use and CKS development in severe UC.
- This case highlights the importance of considering CKS in HIV-negative IBD patients on immunosuppressive therapy.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying glucocorticosteroid-induced CKS in IBD.
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