Kaposi's sarcoma facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kaposi's sarcoma, multiple haemorrhagic sarcoma
Synonyms	Kaposi sarcoma
Kaposi sarcoma. Characteristic purple lesions on the nose in an HIV-positive female.
Symptoms	Purple colored skin lesions
Types	Classic, endemic, immunosuppression therapy-related, epidemic
Risk factors	Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), poor immune function
Diagnostic method	Tissue biopsy, medical imaging
Similar conditions	Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome, pyogenic granuloma, melanocytic nevi, melanoma
Treatment	Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biologic therapy
Frequency	42,000 (new cases, 2018)
Deaths	20,000 (2018)

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a type of cancer that can form masses in the skin, lymph nodes, or other organs. The skin lesions are usually purple in color. They can appear singularly, in a limited area, or be widespread. Lesions may be flat or raised.

Images for kids

• 

  Micrograph of a Kaposi sarcoma showing the characteristic spindle cells, high vascularity, and intracellular hyaline globs. H&E stain.

• 

  Micrograph of promontory sign in Kaposi's sarcoma in patch stage. Dilated irregular vascular channels surround a pre-existing vessel.

• 

  Micrograph of plaque stage, with bizarre vessels dissecting the upper dermis. There is erythrocyte extravasation and hemosiderin pigmentation.

See also

In Spanish: Sarcoma de Kaposi para niños