Role of radiotherapy in the treatment of epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma: experience with sixty-five cases.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) associated with HIV infection should improve often disfiguring lesions, with an acceptable cosmetic outcome; relieve associated signs and symptoms (pain and edema); and have no adverse effects on the patient's already impaired immune status.

OBJECTIVE:

Our purpose was to determine the role of x-ray therapy in the treatment of KS.

METHODS:

Contact x-ray therapy and half-deep x-ray therapy were used to treat 594 lesions in 65 patients with KS, who were observed for 1 to 43 months (mean, 9 months).

RESULTS:

Complete remission was achieved with pigmentation in 405 lesions (68.3%), with good cosmetic results in 105 (17.7%), and with hypopigmentation in three (0.5%). In 80 lesions (13.5%) only size reduction or pain palliation were achieved. Fourteen lesions (2.4%) relapsed 2 to 9 months after treatment.

CONCLUSION:

X-ray therapy is well tolerated and meets the specified requirements for the treatment of KS.

• Authors: R Piccinno, M Caccialanza, M Cusini
• Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (J Am Acad Dermatol) Vol. 32 Issue 6 Pg. 1000-3 (Jun 1995) ISSN: 0190-9622 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7538517 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Female
• HIV Infections (complications)
• Humans
• Male
• Palliative Care
• Radiotherapy Dosage
• Remission Induction
• Sarcoma, Kaposi (etiology, radiotherapy)
• Skin Neoplasms (etiology, radiotherapy)