What is KS?
KS is a lesion that primarily affects the skin but can affect internal organs and the lining of the mouth as well. When it is located on the skin, KS presents as small bruise-like areas that are not painful and do not itch. In fact, they are often mistaken for simple bruises. KS appears about eight times more often in gay men than in women. If isolated to the skin, KS is not life threatening. However, if KS forms in the intestinal track, lungs, brain or other internal organs, it can have serious consequences and can even be fatal.
What Causes KS?
The exact cause of KS is not entirely understood. Early on, it was thought that KS was a form of cancer. However, scientists now believe it is caused by the herpes virus HHV8. And since HHV8 can be transmitted via sexual contact, the risk of developing KS is thought to be spread from person to person as well. The health of a person's immune system appears to have some affect on whether KS will develop. In fact, KS has also been identified in HIV negative organ transplant patients who were receiving immunosuppressive therapy. The good news is that while KS is common, the incidence seems to be decreasing.KS - An AIDS Defining Infection - What Are the Others?
Do I have KS?
KS lesions on the skin or in the mouth appear as discolored, darkened areas. They usually are not painful and do not itch. Their bruise-like appearance sometimes make them difficult to identify. An easy test to differentiate a KS lesion from a bruise is to press the area with one finger. A bruise's dark color will go away with finger pressure but a KS lesion's will not. However, the only way to absolutely diagnose KS is to perform a biopsy of the lesion. A small sample of the area is removed and examined under microscope. Any lesion on the skin that appears suspicious needs to be examined by a physician as soon as possible.Important Fact!
Under no circumstance should you try to diagnose any skin lesion on your own. Any new or changing skin lesion should be examined by a doctor as soon as possible.
How Does KS Present?
KS that affects the internal organs may present in several ways.- KS of the Intestinal Tract
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- intestinal obstruction
- KS of the Lymph System
- swelling in the legs or arms
- KS of the Lungs
- cough
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- difficulty breathing
- extremity swelling
- a pulmonary blockageg
Can KS Be Treated?
Several treatments are available for KS. However, if the KS lesions are confined to the skin treatment may not be necessary. However, KS lesions that involve large areas of the skin or internal organs, treatment is recommended. Those treatments include:- Skin lesions
- Topical medications
- surgical removal
- chemotherapy drugs
- freezing with liquid nitrogen
In advanced cases where KS has affected internal organs, several treatments have proven effective in shrinking the lesion.
- Chemotherapy
Anti-cancer chemotherapy agents have been used to treat and shrink KS lesions that have affected internal organs. Like cancer therapies, these drugs often have unpleasant side effects such as nausea, vomiting and hair loss. And even more troubling is that these drugs can have damaging affects on the heart and bone marrow, resulting in a decrease in the number of white blood cells, furthering the risk of acquiring opportunistic infections. - Liposomal Drugs
Liposomal drugs are similar to chemotherapy drugs with one exception. These drugs are incased in microscopic fat bubbles which seem to lessen the adverse side effects. Studies have shown that these forms of drugs last longer and are able to move to the KS affected areas better.
