AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma in Sokoto, Nigeria

Since the advent of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is now seen in places not previously considered endemic for this disease. In Nigeria, the African-endemic KS had been known to be prevalent in the southern parts of the country, particularly the southeast. Until now, reports on the disease from northern Nigeria are few.

To describe the prevalence ofKaposi's sarcoma in Sokoto, northwestern Nigeria.

A retrospective review of 27 cases of histologically confirmed KS seen over an 11-year period (Jan.1994-Dec.2004) at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Northwestern Nigeria.

The average hospital incidence of KS in this review was 2.5 cases per annum (27 cases in 11 years). The modal age was the 4th decade of life (range 18-70 years). Fifteen percent were females; M: F = 5.8: 1. There was no case of childhood involvement identified. More cases of the disease were HIV-positive (59.3%). The commonest symptom was cutaneous nodules in 96.3% of cases. The body region with the highest affectation of the lesions was the lower limb (70.4%).

Kaposi's sarcoma is still uncommon in the northwestern region of Nigeria. The epidemic variant of the disease predominates among the few cases diagnosed. The finding of nodular lesions and/or indurated leg swelling in any adult male in our environment must be considered to be KS until histologically investigated.