Kaposi's sarcoma in the northern part of Nigeria: pre-aids era

ABSTRACT

Background: In the last two decades; the incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma has increased due to acquired immune deficiency syndrome epidemic. This study was designed to highlight the characteristic features of Kaposi's sarcoma in our centre before this epidemic. Method: In a retrospective study; all histologically diagnosed cases of Kaposi's sarcoma at Pathology Department; Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital; Zaria; before acquired immune deficiency syndrome epidemic (1971 - 1980) were retrieved from histopathology register and analysed. Results: A total of 37 cases of Kaposi's sarcoma were diagnosed during the period of study; constituting 0.73of the total number of histologically verified cancers from all sites during the same period. Male to female ratio was 51. Two cases occurred in children while the peak age of occurence was the third and fourth decades. Lower limb and the lymph node were the most frequently involved site by the disease. Conclusion: Kaposi's sarcoma was relatively rare in the Northern region of Nigeria in the pre-acquired immune deficiency syndrome epidemic and could present clinically as lymphadenopathy