Definition:
Moritz Kaposi, a Hungarian dermatologist was the first one to describe Kaposi's sarcoma, as a tumor caused by Human Herpes Virus 8 (HHV8). HHV8 is the eight human herpes virus. Kaposi's sarcoma is the cancer that usually comes about in many AIDS suffering patients.
Diagnosis:
There are many useful diagnostic tests that can aid in diagnosing Kaposi's sarcoma but the fundamental tool to confirm diagnosis is a biopsy in order to proceed with direct histologic study of the tumor tissue.
Treatment:
There is no specific cure for Kaposi's sarcoma but treating the cause of the immune system dysfunction can reduce or impede the progression of the disorder.
Local lesions can be treated with radiation therapy or cryosurgery, application of extreme cold with the aim to break up and destroy tissues that have been damaged.
Symptoms and Signs:
Kaposi's sarcoma is identified with lesions that appear as papular nodules or blotches, which are usually colored red, black, brown or purple. These lesions thrive in many skin and body surfaces including the mouth, face, and genital organs. They may also invade the hollow organs in the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract.
Presence in the gastrointestinal tract will be responsible for producing symptoms including diarrhea, bleeding, weight loss, nausea/vomiting, and pain.
Coughing up blood, chest pain, fever, cough, shortness of breath will be manifested as lesions flourish in the respiratory tract.
Causes:
Kaposi's sarcoma is caused by the Human Herpes Virus 8.
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