Tonsillar Kaposi Sarcoma in an HIV-Negative Patient: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Virology
• Pathology

Background:

• Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a rare cancer typically linked to Human Herpes Virus Type 8 (HHV-8) infection and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
• KS predominantly manifests on the skin, with extranodal involvement being less common, particularly in non-AIDS patients.

Observation:

• A 72-year-old woman, seronegative for HIV, presented with rapidly enlarging swelling in her right palatine tonsil.
• Clinical examination revealed a distinct mass in the tonsillar region.

Findings:

• Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of tonsillar Kaposi's sarcoma.
• The tumor exhibited characteristic KS morphology, despite the absence of HIV infection or known HHV-8 risk factors.

Implications:

• This case underscores the possibility of KS, including tonsillar presentation, in individuals without HIV/AIDS.
• It emphasizes the importance of considering KS in the differential diagnosis of head and neck masses, even in immunocompetent individuals.
• Further research may elucidate non-HHV-8-associated pathways or less common risk factors for KS development.