Is Kaposi sarcoma life threatening?
Kaposi’s sarcomas are usually not life threatening or disabling, but the condition may become life threatening when the cancer spreads to the lungs, liver, or gastrointestinal tract.
What else looks like Kaposi sarcoma?
Other conditions that look similar to Kaposi sarcoma skin cancer are: Hematoma, which a large clot of blood that accumulates outside of a blood vessel in tissue. Dermatofibroma, which is a harmless skin growth. Purpura, which are spots caused by bleeding from the small blood vessels under the skin.
How aggressive is Kaposi sarcoma?
It is usually a slow-growing cancer, but can be aggressive, invading bone and tissue under the skin. Immunosuppressive-treatment-related Kaposi’s sarcoma. People taking immune-suppressing medication after an organ transplant may develop this form of the disease.
Can healthy people get Kaposi sarcoma?
The underlying cause of Kaposi’s sarcoma is infection with a virus called human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). In healthy people, HHV-8 infection usually causes no symptoms because the immune system keeps it under control. In people with weakened immune systems, however, HHV-8 has the potential to trigger Kaposi’s sarcoma.
Who develops Kaposi sarcoma?
It traditionally occurs in older men of Jewish or Mediterranean descent. Lesions most often appear on the lower body, particularly on the legs, ankles, or soles of the feet. Classic Kaposi sarcoma is more common in men than in women, and lesions may develop slowly over a period of 10 to 15 years.
What are the early symptoms of anemia in pregnancy?
Early symptoms of anemia are usually nonexistent or nonspecific (eg, fatigue, weakness, light-headedness, mild dyspnea during exertion). Other symptoms and signs may include pallor and, if anemia is severe, tachycardia or hypotension.
When to use a transfusion for anemia during pregnancy?
Treatment of anemia during pregnancy is directed at reversing the anemia (see below). Transfusion is usually indicated for any anemia if severe constitutional symptoms (eg, light-headedness, weakness, fatigue) or cardiopulmonary symptoms or signs (eg, dyspnea, tachycardia, tachypnea) are present; the decision is not based on the Hct.
How is Kaposi sarcoma transmitted from mother to child?
While the reasons aren’t clearly understood, some evidence indicates that populations with high rates of KSHV likely acquired the virus in childhood, possibly through saliva transmission from mother to child. As in other types of Kaposi sarcoma, experts believe that classic Kaposi tumors emerge as a result of a compromised immune system.
What are the chances of surviving Kaposi sarcoma?
Data from the National Cancer Institute indicates that the five-year relative survival is about 72 percent. This means that five years after diagnosis, a person with Kaposi sarcoma is 72 percent as likely as the average person without Kaposi to still be living. With improvements in treatment, these numbers are likely to continue rising.