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09:53
An In Vitro Model for Studying Cellular Transformation by Kaposi Sarcoma Herpesvirus
Published on: August 25, 2017
Cause-specific mortality in classic Kaposi's sarcoma: a population-based study in Italy (1995-2002)
V Ascoli1, G Minelli, M Kanieff
1Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università La Sapienza, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy. valeria.ascoli@uniroma1.it
British Journal of Cancer
|August 27, 2009
Summary
Most deaths in classic Kaposi's sarcoma (CKS) patients were due to non-cancerous conditions or CKS itself. Lymphoid malignancies and respiratory/genitourinary diseases were more common causes of death in CKS patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Limited data exists on mortality causes in classic Kaposi's sarcoma (CKS).
- Understanding CKS patient mortality is crucial for improving care and prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the underlying causes of death among individuals diagnosed with classic Kaposi's sarcoma (CKS).
- To compare mortality patterns in CKS patients with the general deceased population.
Main Methods:
- A population-based study in Italy analyzed multiple-causes-of-death records for deceased CKS patients.
- Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated to compare CKS mortality causes with the general population.
- Geographical distribution of deaths was also assessed.
Main Results:
- Non-neoplastic conditions accounted for 65.9% of deaths, while malignancies caused 21.9%.
- Classic Kaposi's sarcoma (CKS) was the underlying cause in 12.2% of deaths, often with visceral involvement or cachexia.
- An excess of lymphoid malignancies (SMR=4.40) and a deficit of solid cancers (SMR=0.56) were observed in CKS patients. Respiratory and genitourinary diseases also showed increased mortality.
Conclusions:
- Non-neoplastic conditions are the primary cause of death in classic Kaposi's sarcoma (CKS) patients in Italy.
- Findings highlight an increased risk of lymphoid malignancies and specific non-neoplastic diseases in CKS patients, with significant geographical variations.
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