Epidemic Kaposi Sarcoma (HIV-Associated Kaposi Sarcoma)

Patients with HIV are at risk of developing epidemic Kaposi sarcoma (HIV-associated Kaposi sarcoma).

AIDS is caused by HIV, which attacks and weakens the body's immune system. A weakened immune system is unable to fight infection and disease. People with HIV have an increased risk of infection and cancer.

A person with HIV and certain types of infection or cancer, such as Kaposi sarcoma, is diagnosed as having AIDS. Sometimes, a person is diagnosed with AIDS and epidemic Kaposi sarcoma at the same time.

The use of drug therapy called highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) reduces the risk of epidemic Kaposi sarcoma in patients with HIV.

HAART is a combination of several drugs used to lessen the damage to the immune system caused by HIV infection. Treatment with HAART reduces the risk of epidemic Kaposi sarcoma, although it is possible for a person to develop epidemic Kaposi sarcoma while taking HAART.

For information about AIDS and its treatment, see the HIVinfo website.

Signs of epidemic Kaposi sarcoma can include lesions that form in many parts of the body.

The signs of epidemic Kaposi sarcoma can include lesions in different parts of the body, including any of the following:

• Skin.
• Lining of the mouth.
• Lymph nodes.
• Stomach and intestines.
• Lungs and lining of the chest.
• Liver.
• Spleen.

Kaposi sarcoma is sometimes found in the lining of the mouth during a regular dental check-up.

In most patients with epidemic Kaposi sarcoma, the disease will spread to other parts of the body over time.