Tumor Conference #41; Spontaneously Disappearing Kaposi’s Sarcoma

Abstract

A 68-year-old man presented with a lesion on the arch of his foot which was histologically diagnosed as Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS). After several weeks the entire lesion disappeared spontaneously without therapy. Spontaneous remission of KS had also occurred 6 years previously. This occurrence of KS with spontaneous regression is rare.

Case Details

Personal Characteristics

62-year-old jewish diabetic white man

Clinical Characteristics

Blue bumps between the toes of his left foot that disappeared without treatment, three similar bluish nodules in the arch of his right foot, a 2.5 centimeter indurated, erythematous, tender area on the arch of his left sole, in the center of which was a 1 centimeter keratotic area

Remission Characteristics

Lesions disappeared completely without treatment, remained free of lesions for several years, entire lesion disappeared spontaneously

Treatment & Mechanisms

Proposed Remission Mechanisms

Not discussed

Clinical Treatment

Local destruction, as with electrodesiccation and curettage, is effective for some lesions of kaposi’s sarcoma, lesions could be excised and the wounds closed primarily, x-ray therapy for the lesions now present, radiation therapy

Additional Notes

Spontaneous remission of KS had also occurred 6 years previously. This occurrence of KS with spontaneous regression is rare. The patient remained free of lesions for several years. In January 1981 he presented a 2.5 centimeter indurated, erythematous, tender area on the arch of his left sole, in the center of which was a 1 centimeter keratotic area. The central keratotic area, together with underlying vascular tissue, was removed for histologic study and was microscopically diagnostic of Kaposi’s sarcoma. Over the next several weeks the entire lesion disappeared spontaneously. Physical examination and laboratory studies were unremarkable except for an elevated blood sugar of 236 mg/dl and 1+ sugar in his urine. No evidence of Kaposi’s sarcoma was found on clinical examination in December 1981.