Spontaneously Healing Kaposis Sarcoma In AIDS | Spontaneous Remission Database

Abstract

The authors have been studying immune function in a group which includes 10 men with Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS) who have chosen not to enter conventional treatment protocols. These men seem to be surviving at least as well as patients who have been treated. These men may not be representative of KS patients in general. Their choice to forego conventional medical therapy may indicate a strong, independent psychological makeup which could enhance survival. They are all following a vegetarian (macrobiotic) diet and have a strong social support system.

Case Details

Personal Characteristics

25-year-old homosexual man

Clinical Characteristics

Presented with a wasting syndrome and cutaneous lesions evolving in three stages. The first stage consisted of purple pustular lesions on the legs, forearms, and hands. A second stage was characterized by violaceous papules. In the third stage violaceous plaques appeared on the legs and forearms. There was no extracutaneous involvement. Some of the lesions disappeared spontaneously after stage 1 or 2: the others disappeared after stage 3. At the same time, the immune status of the patient worsened, with the onset of severe pulmonary tuberculosis, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, and cerebral toxoplasmosis.

Remission Characteristics

Some of the lesions disappeared spontaneously after stage 1 or 2: the others disappeared after stage 3.

Treatment & Mechanisms

Proposed Remission Mechanisms

Not discussed

Additional Notes

Spontaneous healing has been described in classic Kaposis sarcoma (KS) and may represent up to 10% of these forms. It has also been observed in recipients of renal allografts, the sarcoma sometimes disappearing when immunosuppression is corrected. However, we know of only one report of spontaneously healing KS in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).