KAPOSI's SARCOMA

cancer -- commonly abbreviated KS -- of the blood vessels caused by a herpes virus. KS is very rare except in HIV positive individuals. This is one of the most common opportunistic infections and is considered an AIDS-defining condition in the United States. Symptoms include red, pink, or purple spots on the skin or internal organs.

An AIDS-defining illness consisting of individual cancerous lesions caused by an overgrowth of blood vessels. KS typically appears as pink or purple painless spots or nodules on the surface of the skin or oral cavity. KS also can occur internally, especially in the intestines, lymph nodes, and lungs, and in this case is life threatening. The cancer may spread and also attack the eyes. There has been considerable speculation that KS is not a spontaneous cancer but is sparked by a virus. A species of herpes virus -- also referred to as Kaposi's Sarcoma herpes virus (KSHV) or HHV-8 -- similar to the Epstein-Barr virus is currently under extensive investigation. Up to now, KS has been treated with alpha interferon, radiation therapy (outside the oral cavity), and various systemic and intralesional cancer chemotherapies.

Blood vessels which grow rapidly and cause pink to purple painless spots on the skin. KS can also grow in other places such as the lungs. It can be accompanied by fever, enlarged lymph nodes and stomach problems.

[KAP-o-seez sar-KO-ma]A type of cancer characterized by the abnormal growth of blood vessels that develop into skin lesions or occur internally.

A sarcoma of spindle cells mixed with angiomatous tissue. A relatively rare malignant skin tumour that results in multifocal purplish coloured papules or plaques that eventually form nodules. Usually classed as an angioblastic tumour.

A type of vascular cancer characterised by soft purple nodules that usually develop first on the feet and then slowly spread across the skin.This cancer is most often found in people with compromised immune systems, such as AIDS patients.