[Kaposi's sarcoma developing during corticosteroid therapy in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura]

A case of Kaposi's sarcoma developing during corticosteroid therapy for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is reported. The patient is a 58-year-old female who was admitted to Sapporo City General Hospital for bleeding tendency in March 1987. She had been treated before admission with prednisolone (over 40 mg/day) for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura since October 1986, but her platelet count was below 40,000/microliters. In April 1987, several dark red or blue nodules appeared on the tip of her nose, left forearm, right shoulder, trunk and tongue. These nodules rapidly grew. Biopsy specimens from the nodule of the left forearm showed the histologic changes of Kaposi's sarcoma. She was treated with irradiation. Splenectomy was done in May 1987 and prednisolone was decreased to 5 mg/day. Her platelet count was continually kept 50,000/microliters or more. Her Kaposi's sarcoma completely regressed in January 1988. The relationship of immunosuppressive therapy to Kaposi's sarcoma is discussed.