Kaposi sarcoma (Kaposi’s sarcoma) is cancer that starts in cells that line lymph and blood vessels. It causes lesions on people’s skin or tissue that lines their internal organs. It typically affects people with weakened immune systems who also carry human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). Healthcare providers can treat this condition, but it may come back.
Kaposi sarcoma (Kaposi’s sarcoma) is a form of soft tissue sarcoma. It affects people with weakened immune systems who also carry the rare virus human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). The virus turns healthy cells into cancerous cells. There are different types of Kaposi sarcoma, but all types cause cancerous lesions (tumors) on people’s skin. Healthcare providers can treat this condition, but it may come back.
There are four types of Kaposi sarcoma:
Kaposi sarcoma in the United States is rare. People develop Kaposi sarcoma because they carry HHV-8 and have weakened immune systems. Kaposi sarcoma affects 6 in 1 million people with HIV/AIDs and 1 in 200 people taking immunosuppressants after stem cell (bone marrow) transplant or organ transplant surgery.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Kaposi sarcoma creates patches of abnormal tissue that may appear in various places throughout your body. Lesions may develop in tissue below your skin’s surface or in mucosa that lines the inside of your mouth, nose or anus. Kaposi sarcoma may also develop in the lining of internal organs like your liver, lungs and belly.
Specific symptoms include:
Kaposi sarcoma develops when HHV-8 infects the cells that line your blood and lymphatic vessels. Less than 10% of people in the United States carry the virus, which turns healthy cells into cancerous cells that multiply and create lesions. Certain risk factors increase the chance HHV-8 will become Kaposi sarcoma. Risk factors include:
Advertisement
Kaposi sarcoma complications may include:
Healthcare providers use several different tests to diagnose Kaposi sarcoma. Tests may include:
Advertisement
Your healthcare provider will consider several factors while developing your treatment plan. These factors might include:
For example, if you have AIDs-related Kaposi sarcoma, healthcare providers may use highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). If you have acquired Kaposi sarcoma, your provider may reduce or change immunosuppressant medications. Other treatments may include:
According to the American Cancer Society, taking steps to avoid HIV could prevent most cases of Kaposi sarcoma.
If you have HIV, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) reduces your risk of developing Kaposi sarcoma and AIDS.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have HHV-8. There are immunosuppressant medications that protect your transplanted organ without increasing your risk of Kaposi sarcoma.
That depends on factors like Kaposi sarcoma type, whether treatment eliminated or reduced lesions and your overall health. For example, HAART for HIV/AIDs often eases Kaposi sarcoma symptoms.
If you have Kaposi sarcoma, maintaining a healthy immune system is the best thing you can do to take care of yourself. You can support your immune system by:
Kaposi sarcoma can come back (recur) after treatment, so you’ll have regular follow-up appointments so your healthcare provider can monitor your overall health and check for signs of new cancer. (If you have Kaposi sarcoma because you have HIV/AIDS or transplanted organs, your regular follow-up appointments will include monitoring for signs of recurrent Kaposi sarcoma.)
Your healthcare provider will discuss what you can expect from treatments and when it makes sense for you to seek immediate medical care.
Here are some suggestions:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Kaposi sarcoma is a rare and complicated illness that affects different people in different ways. For some people, Kaposi sarcoma is a symptom of HIV/AIDS. For others, it’s a complication of medication needed after an organ transplant. Healthcare providers can ease and sometimes eliminate Kaposi sarcoma symptoms. But the condition often comes back. If you have Kaposi sarcoma, your healthcare provider will explain what you can expect, from diagnosis and treatment to living with Kaposi sarcoma.
Last reviewed on 07/27/2023.
Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy