How to Spot Symptoms of Kaposi's Sarcoma
Prior to the AIDS/HIV virus evolving in the 1980s, Kaposi’s sarcoma was typically a disease that was most often seen in middle aged to older men of southern Mediterranean or eastern European descent. There are several subtypes of Kaposi’s sarcoma, but by far the subtype scene of most often today is the AIDS-Associated Epidemic Kaposi’s Sarcoma.
Symptoms
Kaposi’s sarcoma is a form of cancer. Cancer begins when the cells in a part of the body began to grow out of control. This out of control cell growth builds and forms abnormal cells. These cells infiltrate other tissues, which is something normal cells are unable to do. As with all cancers, this is how Kaposi’s sarcoma develops. Kaposi’s sarcoma is a cancer, which develops first in the cells that line lymph or blood vessels. Symptoms are very distinct and include:
- Purple, red or brown lesions on the skin
- Painful swelling in the legs, groin or skin around the eyes
The lesions are composed of blood cells in addition to cancer cells that cause them to be the purplish-red color. Lesions can be found anywhere on the body even the lining of the mouth, the nose and the throat. They also occur internally on major organs. If the sarcoma invades the lungs or the digestive tract, bleeding can occur.
Diagnosis
After determining your health history and your risk for exposures to Kaposi’s sarcoma the doctor will examine the skin and lesions thoroughly. For a complete diagnosis, doctors will perform one or all of the following:
- Biopsy the lesions.
- A chest x-ray may be ordered to determine if the cancer is in the lungs.
- A bronchoscopy, which is a way for the doctor to look into the lungs.
- Gastrointestinal endoscopy if the doctor suspects that the digestive tract is involved in some way.
When to see a Doctor
A person who feels they may be at risk for Kaposi’s sarcoma, or has been exposed to the disease should do a visual inspection of their skin on a routine basis. If any lesions are detected, the patient should see a doctor.