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Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most common neoplasm affecting HIV-infected individuals. Seventeen percent of gay men with AIDS and 1-5% of other persons with HIV infection will develop KS.
KS remains almost exclusively confined to the homosexual male population and it is less frequent among IV drug users. The sexually transmitted herpesvirus (KSHV) is the cause of Kaposi's sarcoma.
KS usually presents as palpable, firm, cutaneous nodules, ranging from 0.5-2 cm in diameter. Early, small, non-palpable lesions often resemble small ecchymosis.
Lesions may also appear as small raised plaques, nodules or large bulky sarcoma plaques. They are generally non-pruritic and painless; however, lesions at any site may become painful or locally uncomfortable.
The color of lesions range from brown to pink to deep purple, but they may appear black in dark-skinned persons. The lesions can be found on any body surface but have a predilection for the upper body and head.
Dermal and lymphatic infiltration can cause edema of the extremity, genitals and periorbital areas. Lesions on the feet can cause pain.
Early epidermal KS may be diagnosed based on the clinical appearance; however, more advanced disease requires biopsy to rule out other diagnoses, such as bacillary angiomatosis, cellulitis, cutaneous fungal disease, and angiosarcoma.
Oral lesions are common. They are often asymptomatic but can produce pain, difficulty swallowing, gingival bleeding, and dental displacement.
Visceral disease occurs commonly.
The GI tract
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