Kaposi's Sarcoma Associated with Gastric Involvement

ABSTRACT

We report a case of classic Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in a 67-year-old man, who had multiple cutaneous lesions of the feet and left hand as well as an internal involvement of the stomach. The histopathologic findings showed typical features of KS as a mid-dermal tumor composed of vascular proliferations, vascular slits, spindle cells, extravasated erythrocytes and deposits of hemosiderin. Analysis of T-cell subpopulations showed decreased T4 lymphocytes and in-creased T8 lymphocytes; the ratio of T4M lymphocytes was decreased. Natural killer cell activity was also decreased. These findings suggest a possible relationship between immunological abnormalities and the pathogenesis of this disease. The patient's serum was negative for antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (HM). This report describes a case of classic KS with immunological abnormalities and internal involvement and possible pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed.