[Kaposi's sarcoma, a series of 65 cases]

ABSTRACT

Kaposi sarcoma [SK] is characterized by proliferation of vascular and spindle-shaped cells with variable clinical presentations. The association with AIDS modifies the profile of this disease. The pathophysiology seems to be based on the major role HHV-8 The goal of this work was to specify the profile of this disease in our region through a retrospective study of 65 cases of SK over a 23-year period [1981-2003]. In our series, the classic form prevailed 163 cases [96.9%]]. One patient had a secondary form due to steroid therapy and another patient had a KS associated with AIDS. A male prevalence was noticed [M/F 2.8]. Cutaneous lesions were dominated by papulo-nodular lesions [90.9%] of the lower limbs [92.3% of the cases]. Mucous lesions were present in 15.4% of the cases. Therapeutic abstention was decided in 38.4%.Surgical excision was indicated in 35.4% of cases, radiotherapy in 4.6% of the cases and chemotherapy in 23% of the cases. The classic form of KS is the most frequent in our area; the other forms remaining rare