Kaposi’s Sarcoma
Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh 11: April 1966; 185-195
View Original Source →Abstract
A general overview of Kaposi’s sarcoma is given including clinical features, incidence and distribution of the disease, histology and histogenesis, and treatment. A most interesting feature of Kaposi’s sarcoma, and one which makes it almost unique among malignant tumours, is the regular occurrence of spontaneous regression. This is almost always incomplete, but a careful survey of most patients will show regression of individual nodules, even though the disease as a whole may be progressing. Here and there a nodule becomes pale and wrinkled, and gradually disappears, leaving an inconspicuous scar. Complete spontaneous regression does occur. How often is not known, but two instances in Uganda were carefully observed. One of the patients developed nodules on the left foot in 1951. In early 1952 there were nodules on both feet, but by the end of that year the right foot had cleared and by July 1953 the ulcerated lesions of the left foot had healed and regressed. Three years later no trace of disease was found on clinical, x-ray and biopsy examination. It is probably not too optimistic to expect a spontaneous remission of clinical value in 2% of all patients, but the duration of follow-up is still too short to call any of the regressions permanent.
Case Details
Clinical Characteristics
Nodules on the left foot, nodules on both feet, ulcerated lesions of the left foot
Remission Characteristics
Nodule becomes pale and wrinkled, and gradually disappears, leaving an inconspicuous scar. Complete spontaneous regression does occur
Treatment & Mechanisms
Proposed Remission Mechanisms
Not discussed
Additional Notes
A general overview of Kaposi’s sarcoma is given including clinical features, incidence and distribution of the disease, histology and histogenesis, and treatment. A most interesting feature of Kaposi’s sarcoma, and one which makes it almost unique among malignant tumours, is the regular occurrence of spontaneous regression. This is almost always incomplete, but a careful survey of most patients will show regression of individual nodules, even though the disease as a whole may be progressing. Here and there a nodule becomes pale and wrinkled, and gradually disappears, leaving an inconspicuous scar. Complete spontaneous regression does occur. How often is not known, but two instances in Uganda were carefully observed. One of the patients developed nodules on the left foot in 1951. In early 1952 there were nodules on both feet, but by the end of that year the right foot had cleared and by July 1953 the ulcerated lesions of the left foot had healed and regressed. Three years later no trace of disease was found on clinical, x-ray and biopsy examination. It is probably not too optimistic to expect a spontaneous remission of clinical value in 2% of all patients, but the duration of follow-up is still too short to call any of the regressions permanent.