Theunderlying causeof a weakened immune system largely determines how aggressively or slowly KS symptoms develop.
With KS, the disease develops from cells calledendothelial cellsthat line the blood vessels.
While KS usually causes tumors on the skin, it can sometimes spread to internal organs.
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The defining features of KS are the characteristic skin tumors that can also affect the gums and mouth.
However, in rare cases, KS can spread from the skin to the internal organs.
This scenario is likely in people withAIDS, the most advanced stage of HIV infection.
Without these defenses, diseases like cancer can become invasive and infiltrate organs more readily.
The organs most commonly affected are those of thelymphatic system.
Males 70 and over of Jewish, Greek, and Italian descent are most predominantly affected.
KS lesions in the mouth or gums are also uncommon.
While classic KS rarely spreads to internal organs, it has been known to occur.
Transplant-related KS can occur with any solid organ transplant but is most likely to occur after alung transplantorkidney transplant.
In some cases, the lesions may spontaneously clear on their own.
If internal organs are affected, the outcomes are generally poor.
Kaposi sarcoma isalwaysa big deal.
The defining feature of KS is painless, purplish tumors that develop on the skin and in the mouth.
These can lead to an array of potentially severe and even life-threatening complications.
There are other forms of KS that affect people without HIV.
Many of these are slow-growing and some may even spontaneously clear on their own without treatment.
Some people who start late never do.
