Psychosocial considerations in the therapy of epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma

Since the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) burst into prominence in 1981, it has claimed victims at an exponential rate and taxed the resources of physicians, health workers, and social support agencies. A sizeable minority of AIDS patients, mainly male homosexuals, have been presented with epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma (EKS). Although life expectancy with this presentation may be greater than with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia or other opportunistic infection, the underlying immunodeficiency still foreshadows an untimely death, usually from infection. Those remaining months or years are frequently marked by a poor quality of life attended by pain, functional impairment, cosmetic stigmata, central nervous system (CNS) complications, loss of employment, poverty, ostracism, guilt, and anger. Psychologic burdens may disrupt the patient's efforts to deal with the disease. Health care workers must often overcome their own prejudices and fears about AIDS to provide effective management.