Get the Facts
Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS)
... What Is KS? How Is KS Treated? Can KS Be Prevented? What Else Is Being Studied for KS? The Bottom Line What Is KS? Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a cancer-like disease. It originally was known as a disease affecting elderly men of Eastern European or Mediterranean background. KS also occurs in African men and people with a weakened immune system. The most common
Ask the Experts
Can I get Kaposi's sarcoma from a woman?
I am a straight male. I would like to know if it is likely to get Kaposi's sarcoma from a woman?
Response from Bruce Dezube, M.D.
Harvard Medical School
...Kaposi's sarcoma is caused by the Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (also known as human herpes virus-8, HHV8). It is mostly found in the oral cavity Read more »Could you get Kaposi Sarcoma or Hiv even if you used a condom?
Yes, I wanted to know if you could get Hiv or Kaposi Sarcoma even though you used a condom. 11 almost 12 years ago, I saw really bright red spots on my thigh about 3 to 6 weeks after itercourse.There was definately protection there but I have been...
Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.
The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation
...is indeed protected if the latex condom was used properly and did not fail.The "spots" you describe do not sound at all like Kaposi's Sarcoma. If a physician thought you had psoriasis, perhaps indeed that's what you have. If you don't believe... Read more »Kaposis Sarcoma - I'm scared to death; Do I have KS or HIV?
Hello Dr., I apologize for the long question, but things are starting to add up and scare me a bit here. I am a 28 year old heterosexual white male. I have a growing concern that I may have K.S., and therefore HIV. About 5 weeks ago I developed a...Response from Bruce Dezube, M.D.
Harvard Medical School
...I appreciate your fear. Knowledge is power. As I'm sure your well aware, both HIV and KS are VERY treatable. I would urge you in the strongest of terms to get HIV-tested and probably to have one of your lesions biopsied. Read more »Can I inherit Kaposi's sarcoma from my mother?
my mother who passed away last month. She had Kaposi's sarcoma for years, although this was not the cause of death. My question is-- there are five siblings...is there a chance of gene inheritance?Response from Bruce Dezube, M.D.
Harvard Medical School
...I'm sorry to hear about your mom. Although some cancers are indeed passed on through the genes, Kaposi's sarcoma fortunately is NOT one of them. Neither you nor your siblings need to go through any special screening to get checked for Kaposi's Read more »
Articles
The KS Project Report: Research Paper Details Advances, Obstacles In The Treatment of Kaposi's Sarcoma
...APLA's Marty Majchrowicz debuted their joint collaboration, "The KS Project Report: Current Issues in Research and Treatment of Kaposi's Sarcoma," at the X International Conference in Yokohama before the otherwise listless press corps. Following... Read more »
UCSF Researchers Identify New Drug Target for Kaposi's Sarcoma
... Charles S. Craik, Ph.D. UCSF researchers have identified a new potential drug target for the herpes virus that causes Kaposi's sarcoma, re-opening the possibility of using the class of drugs called protease inhibitors against the full... Read more »
Anti-Cancer Agents: A. Kaposi's Sarcoma -- Past and Future
...and trends. Lancet Oncology 2008 Jul;9(7):683-92. Bahl S, Theis B, Nishri D, et al. Changing incidence of AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in Ontario, Canada. Cancer causes & control . 2008; in press . Read more »
