Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related Kaposi's sarcoma

To describe Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

A review of AIDS-related KS (AIDS-KS), with its associated epidemiologic and etiologic characteristics, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, histopathologic features, prognosis, and treatment, is presented.

KS is the most frequent malignant lesion in patients with AIDS. The incidence of AIDS-KS is high in homosexual and bisexual men who have multiple sexual partners and in children and women with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Anal-oral contact is one of the main routes of the sexually transmitted agents of AIDS-KS. The major pathogenic factors that may possibly induce AIDS-KS are HIV itself or other sexually transmitted agents, HIV tat gene, some oncogenes and cytokines such as interleukin 6, basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta, oncostatin M, and platelet-derived growth factor. Treatment includes local therapy, radiotherapy, systemic chemotherapy, zidovudine, interferon, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and other agents.

KS may be an early manifestation of AIDS and the most frequent neoplastic complication of AIDS. Growth factors, cytokines, immunosuppression, and interaction with infectious agents seem to have a role in the development of this enigmatic disorder. Treatment of KS should be individualized. Further investigation of the agents and factors of AIDS-KS may help facilitate the treatment and prevention of this neoplasm.