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Kaposi's sarcoma in women with AIDS
T P Cooley1, L R Hirschhorn, J C O'Keane
1Section of Hematology, Boston City Hospital, Massachusetts, USA.
AIDS (London, England)
|September 1, 1996
Summary
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is less common in women with HIV but presents more aggressively. Early diagnosis is crucial for better outcomes in HIV-infected women.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is an AIDS-defining illness.
- The incidence and presentation of KS in women with HIV are not well-characterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and presentation of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in a cohort of women with HIV.
- To compare the clinical characteristics of KS in women with HIV to those in men with HIV.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart and database review.
- Analysis of adult patients in an AIDS program at a municipal teaching hospital.
Main Results:
- Of 107 KS cases, 11.2% were women. KS prevalence was 3.6% in women vs. 9.9% in men (P < 0.001).
- Women presented with more advanced KS, including higher rates of non-cutaneous, lymphedema, lymph-node, and visceral disease.
- No significant difference in HIV stage or CD4 count at presentation, but decreased survival in women (not significant).
Conclusions:
- Kaposi's sarcoma is a significant diagnosis in women with HIV.
- Sex-related differences in KS presentation and course may be due to delayed diagnosis in women.
- KS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of HIV-related complications in both women and men.