[Kaposi's sarcoma in Rwanda: clinico-pathological and epidemiological aspects]

The clinico-pathological and epidemiological features of 119 cases of Kaposi's sarcoma diagnosed during the years 1979-1986 in the main pathology department of Rwanda are presented. Skin involvement (89%) was predominant with almost 70% of cutaneous lesions localised on the lower limbs; 11% of cases presented with extracutaneous localisations, 77% (10 cases out of 13) in the lymph nodes. Incidence rises progressively with age, and males are more affected than females with a sex ratio (m:f) of 6.4:1. The highest frequencies were observed in the western prefectures which border the province of Kivu in eastern Zaire. Histologically, three types were encountered: a mixed type (84%), a spindle cell-predominant type (12.6%) and an anaplastic type (3.4%). The factor VIII-related antigen was present in all 40 cases tested by the PAP method. Antihuman immunodeficiency virus antibodies were looked for in 18 cases: 10 cases with localised Kaposi's sarcoma, all of whom were seronegative, and 8 cases with aggressive generalised Kaposi's sarcoma, all of whom were seropositive. The results are compared with those of other authors, and the histogenesis and pathogenesis, particularly the relationship with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, are discussed.