Bone and Soft Tissue Oncology

Patient and Family Education

Kaposi's Sarcoma

Stages

There is no accepted staging system for Kaposi's sarcoma. Patients are grouped depending on which type of Kaposi's sarcoma they have. There are four types:

Classic: Classic Kaposi's sarcoma usually occurs in older men of Jewish, Italian or Mediterranean heritage. This type of Kaposi's sarcoma progresses slowly, sometimes over 10 to 15 years. As the disease gets worse, the lower legs may swell and the blood may not be able to flow properly. After some time, the disease may spread to other organs. Many patients with classic Kaposi's sarcoma may develop another type of cancer later in life.
Immunosuppressive Treatment Related: Kaposi's sarcoma may occur in people who are taking drugs to make their immune systems weaker (immunosuppressants). The immune system helps the body fight off infection. People who have had an organ transplant (such as a liver or kidney transplant) have to take drugs to prevent their immune system from attacking the new organ.
Epidemic: Kaposi's sarcoma in patients who have AIDS is called epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma. AIDS is caused by a virus called the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which attacks and weakens the immune system. Infections and other diseases can then invade the body, and the immune system cannot fight against them. Kaposi's sarcoma in people with AIDS usually spreads more quickly than other kinds of Kaposi's sarcoma and often is found in many parts of the body.
Recurrent: Kaposi's sarcoma has come back (recurred) after it has been treated. It may come back in the area where it first started or in another part of the body.

This page was last updated on: September 21, 2009.