AIDS-Related Cancer

Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues under the skin or mucous membranes that line the mouth, nose, and anus. KS causes red or purple patches (lesions) on the skin and/or mucous membranes and spreads to other organs in the body, such as the lungs, liver, or intestinal tract.

If there are signs of KS, a doctor will examine the skin and lymph nodes carefully (lymph nodes are small bean-shaped structures that are found throughout the body; they produce and store infection-fighting cells). The doctor also may order other tests to see if the patient has other diseases. The chance of recovery (prognosis) depends on what type of Kaposi’s sarcoma the patient has, the patient’s age and general health, and whether or not the patient has AIDS.

Source: National Cancer Institute

You can also review the tab at top of this page for information on KS treatment.

See Owen Clinic for additional information on HIV/AIDS treatment at UCSD.

Classic Kaposi Sarcoma

Treatment for single lesions may include:

• Radiation therapy
• Surgery

Treatment for lesions all over the body may include:

• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy

Treatment for Kaposi sarcoma that affects lymph nodes or the gastrointestinal tract usually includes chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from National Cancer Institute's (NCI) PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with classic Kaposi sarcoma. For more specific results, refine the search by using other search features, such as the location of the trial, the type of treatment, or the name of the drug. General information about clinical trials is available from the NCI website.

Immunosuppressive Treatment-related Kaposi Sarcoma

Treatment for immunosuppressive treatment-related Kaposi sarcoma may include the following:

• Stopping or reducing immunosuppressive drugtherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy using one or more anticancer drugs

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with immunosuppressive treatment related Kaposi sarcoma. For more specific results, refine the search by using other search features, such as the location of the trial, the type of treatment, or the name of the drug. General information about clinical trials is available from the NCI website.

Epidemic Kaposi Sarcoma

Treatment for epidemic Kaposi sarcoma may include the following:

• Surgery, including local excision or electrodesiccation and curettage
• Cryosurgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy using one or more anticancer drugs
• Biologic therapy
• A clinical trial of new drug therapy, or biologic therapy

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma. For more specific results, refine the search by using other search features, such as the location of the trial, the type of treatment, or the name of the drug. General information about clinical trials is available from the NCI website.

Recurrent Kaposi Sarcoma

Treatment for recurrent Kaposi sarcoma depends on which type of Kaposi sarcoma the patient has. Treatment may include a clinical trial of a new therapy.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with recurrent Kaposi sarcoma. For more specific results, refine the search by using other search features, such as the location of the trial, the type of treatment, or the name of the drug. General information about clinical trials is available from the NCI website.

Care Team

Ball, Edward D. (Ted), M.D.
	Hematology/Oncology (Bone Marrow Transplantation) Medical Oncology (Bone Marrow Transplantation) Cancer Blood & Marrow Transplant - BMT
Bardwell, Wayne Allen, Ph.D., MBA
	Psychology Cancer (Psychosocial support) Pain Management
Reid, Erin, M.D.
	Hematology/Oncology Cancer