Disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma in a patient with acquired ichthyosis

An elderly black male with Kaposi's sarcoma of the skin and lymph nodes is presented. The patient developed several violaceous papules involving the nose, which suggested a diagnosis of sarcoidosis clinically but proved to be Kaposi's sarcoma on biopsy. His clinical course was complicated by the development of acquired ichthyosis. The prognosis and treatment of generalized Kaposi's sarcoma is discussed.