Kaposi's sarcoma in persons living with HIV/AIDS: a case series in a tertiary referral hospital

Abstract: Background: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a rare neoplasm with indolent progression. Since 1981, the Kaposi's sarcoma epidemic has increased as co-infection with HIV. Objectives: The study aimed to identify the clinical and demographic characteristics and therapeutic approaches in HIV/AIDS patients in a regional referral hospital. Methods: We analyzed the medical records of 51 patients with histopathological diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma hospitalized at Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto (HUJBB) from 2004 to 2015. Results: The study sample consisted of individuals 15 to 44 years of age (80.4%), male (80.4%), single (86.3%), and residing in Greater Metropolitan Belém, Pará State, Brazil. The primary skin lesions identified at diagnosis were violaceous macules (45%) and violaceous papules (25%). Visceral involvement was seen in 62.7%, mainly affecting the stomach (75%). The most frequent treatment regimen was 2 NRTI + NNRTI, and 60.8% were referred to chemotherapy. Study limitations: We assumed that more patients had been admitted to hospital without histopathological confirmation or with pathology reports from other services, so that the current study probably underestimated the number of KS cases. Conclusion: Although the cutaneous manifestations in most of these patients were non-exuberant skin lesions like macules and papules, many already showed visceral involvement. Meticulous screening of these patients is thus mandatory, even if the skin lesions are subtle and localized.

Clinical exuberance of classic Kaposi's sarcoma and response to radiotherapy

Abstract: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a multicentric vascular neoplasm, with cutaneous and extracutaneous involvement. Different clinical and epidemiological variants have been identified. The classic form is manifested mainly in elderly men with indolent and long-term evolution, with lesions localized primarily in the lower extremities. We present two cases of classic Kaposi's sarcoma (CKS) in two female patients with extensive, exuberant skin involvement and rapid evolution, with good response to radiotherapy.

Classic Kaposi's sarcoma treated with elastic stockings and outpatient follow-up of a 90-year-old patient / Sarcoma de Kaposi classico tratado com meias elasticas e acompanhamento ambulatorial numa paciente de 90 anos

Kaposi's sarcoma is a multifactorial angioproliferative disorder. The herpes virus 8 human contributes to its pathogenesis, but it is uncertain whether these lesions are only reactive hyperplasia to the virus or neoplasia. Four clinical types are described: classic, endemic, iatrogenic and HIV-associated. Classic Kaposi's sarcoma has no standard staging or treatment protocols. Some studies have shown the use of compression stockings in the treatment of lymphedema associated with Kaposi's sarcoma. We report the case of a 90 year-old patient with classic Kaposi's sarcoma treated with compression stockings who showed a satisfactory response.

O sarcoma de Kaposi é uma desordem angioproliferativa de causa multifatorial. O vírus herpes 8 participa na sua patogenia, porém há dúvidas se a origem das lesões é apenas por hiperplasia reacional ao vírus ou uma neoplasia propriamente dita. Quatro tipos clínicos são descritos: clássico, endêmico, iatrogênico e associado ao HIV. O tipo clássico de sarcoma de Kaposi mantém-se sem padronização de estadiamento ou protocolos de tratamento. Há alguns estudos mostrando o uso de meias compressivas no tratamento do linfedema associado ao Kaposi Comunicamos um caso de uma paciente de 90 anos com sarcoma de Kaposi clássico tratado com meias elásticas compressivas, mostrando uma resposta satisfatória.

Inmunosupresores y cáncer de piel / Inmunosuppressive drugs and skin cancer

El trasplante de órganos, uno de los avances más sorprendentes de la medicina junto con el desarrollo de agentes inmunosupresores cada vez más eficaces, modificó el curso de enfermedades terminales devastadoras. Sin embargo, esta práctica médica nos enfrenta a una población cada vez más longeva que padece las complicaciones secundarias de la inmunosupresión crónica, necesaria para asegurar la supervivencia del injerto. La elevada incidencia de neoplasias interna y, en particular, cutáneas plantea la necesidad de un manejo interdisciplinario. En este sentido, el médico dermatólogo desempeña un papel protagónico en la prevención, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de estos procesos malignos.

Manifestaciones gastroenterológiocas del síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida / Gastrointestinal manifestation of acquired inmune deficiency syndrome

El sistema gastrointestinal es un órgano blanco para muchas infecciones en el huésped inmunosuprimido. Alteraciones de la inmunidad en la mucosa intestinal pueden explicar el incremento de la incidencia de las infecciones entéricas. Se han demostrado depleción en el número total de células T, células T CD4 y en las células productoras de inmunoglobulina A. El compromiso intestinal contribuye en los problemas nutricionales y facilita una puerta de entrada para infecciones sistémicas. Manifestaciones gastrointestinales se presentan en 78 por ciento de los pacientes con SIDA en el Perú, la diarrea crónica, severa y debilitante, se presenta con frecuencia. Neoplasias malignas, como el Sarcoma de Kaposi y el linfoma, son frecuentes, los norteamericanos lo reportan en el 12 por ciento de sus pacientes con SIDA. Alteraciones del hígado son también frecuentes, estan relacionadas a las infecciones, el estado crónico de debilidad y a coincidente exposición a virus hepatotrópicos. La desinfección de los endoscopios es importante, el glutaraldehido es útil en los instrumentos y accesorios de fibra óptica. Este reporte revisa los problemas clínicos, de diagnóstico y tratamiento de los pacientes con SIDA y compromiso gastrointestinal