Clinical features of Kaposi's sarcoma: experience from a Taiwanese medical center

The response to radiotherapy of epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma (EKS) is unusual in that irradiated regions are frequently left with a persistent purple stain, reminiscent of the color of the original tumor, but with no tumor mass. To date there are no published data to indicate whether the persistence of pigmentation can be predicted beforehand or if it has any prognostic import. We reviewed the response to treatment of 118 EKS lesions that were irradiated at New York University (NYU) Medical Center between 1981 and 1986. A total of 86 responded to treatment by complete clearance of the mass. Of these, 29 left residual purple pigmentation within the treatment portal, while 57 did not. Complete response (CR; without residual pigmentation) occurred more often in patients who had higher Karnofsky scores at the time of treatment. However, in terms of ultimate local control or survival, there were no differences between patients whose lesions cleared completely v those in whom pigmentation remained. We conclude that persistent pigmentation represents only a benign remnant of irradiated EKS and has no prognostic import.

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Improved survival for patients with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.1994.12.9.1910 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 1910-1916 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

S A Miles ◽

H Wang ◽

R Elashoff ◽

R T Mitsuyasu

Keyword(s):

Prognostic Factors ◽

Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽

Proportional Hazards ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Cox Model ◽

Medical Center ◽

Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽

Cell Number ◽

Cox Proportional Hazards ◽

Cd4 Cell

PURPOSE We retrospectively analyzed all patients with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (AIDS-KS) seen at one large California medical center to delineate factors that may have contributed to a relative decline in survival. METHODS Potential prognostic factors were analyzed individually, using the Cox proportional hazards regression model, for their association with survival. After a stepwise Cox regression procedure was applied to those factors that showed a significant effect on survival, a subset of factors that best predicted survival was identified. We then quantified the effect of the year of diagnosis on survival using a univariate Cox model. Next, we combined the year of diagnosis with the subset of prognostic factors previously identified into the Cox model to examine survival after adjustment for the prognostic factors. Survival distribution was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and the 95% confidence interval for the median survival was computed using the modified reflected method. RESULTS In 688 patients, we identified four baseline variables that best predicted survival: CD4 cell number, hematocrit, number of KS lesions, and body mass index (BMI). Adjusted for these predictive factors, there was a significant improvement in survival for patients with AIDS-KS over the last 6 years. CONCLUSION Contrary to prior reports, survival has increased for patients with AIDS-KS. The apparent increase in observed mortality is most likely due to a decline in the CD4 cell number at presentation.

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Trends in Kaposi’s Sarcoma in Miami Beach from 1987 to 2007

ISRN Oncology ◽

10.5402/2012/642106 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Simon B. Zeichner ◽

Ana L. Ruiz ◽

Gabriel P. Suciu ◽

Rachel Lerner Zeichner ◽

Estelamari Rodriguez

Keyword(s):

Kaposi's Sarcoma ◽

Medical Center ◽

Kaposi’S Sarcoma ◽

Vascular Tumor ◽

Low Grade ◽

Term Survival ◽

Distant Disease ◽

Human Herpes Virus 8

Purpose. Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is a rare low-grade vascular tumor associated with the human herpes virus 8. By analyzing the epidemiology, staging, and treatment of KS, we hoped to improve the quality of care at our institution. Methods. Review of the Mount Sinai Medical Center tumor registry database in Miami Beach, FL, USA, identified 143 cases of KS between January 1, 1987 and December 31, 2007. Results. The majority of patients were non-Hispanic whites, non smoking males diagnosed between 1987 and 1996. Most of the patients were HIV positive, with an equal percentage diagnosed with local or distant disease. Most patients received no chemotherapy or radiation. There were no significant differences in patient survival based on sex, HIV status, or radiation received. There was a trend toward improved survival among older patients who smoked, received no chemotherapy, and had localized stage at diagnosis. Multivariate analysis revealed that non-Hispanic whites had a significant worse survival than Hispanic whites (HR = 0.55, 95% CI (0.33, 0.90), ). Patients diagnosed between 1987 and 1996 had a worse survival than those between 1997 and 2007 (HR = 0.33 (95% CI 0.19, 0.55), ). Conclusion. This large retrospective study provides further insight into KS. Ethnicity and date of diagnosis are important predictors of long-term survival.

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