Kaposi's sarcoma is a type of cancer that grows in the lining of your blood vessels.

It usually shows up as purple blotches on your skin. Doctors call these blotches lesions. You can also get the blotches inside your mouth. The disease can spread to your liver, stomach, and intestines.

It seems to be caused by a virus called human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8 for short).

Kaposi's sarcoma is most common in gay men. About 1 in 5 people with HIV who aren't taking drugs to control HIV get Kaposi's sarcoma. But with more people taking stronger antiretroviral drugs, fewer people are getting Kaposi's sarcoma.

The symptoms you get depend on which parts of your body are affected by the disease.

You may get:

• Purple blotches on your face, arms, legs, or other parts of your body. These don't normally hurt

• Problems walking if you have blotches on the soles of your feet

• Problems eating or swallowing if you have large blotches in your mouth or throat

• Blood in your stools if you have Kaposi's sarcoma in your stomach or gut

• Swellings in your arms, legs, face, or scrotum if the cancer is blocking your lymph nodes

• A cough or shortness of breath if the disease affects your lungs. Sometimes fluid collects in your lungs, which can be serious.

Taking strong drugs that slow down HIV can help to clear up Kaposi's sarcoma and also stop the blotches getting bigger.

If you have blotches on your skin, they can be removed by:

• Liquid nitrogen

• Radiation therapy

• Surgery.

If Kaposi's sarcoma has spread inside your body, you may need treatment with chemotherapy.

Antiretroviral drugs help to keep your immune system healthy and HHV-8 under control.^[12]

Glossary

immune system

Your immune system is made up of the parts of your body that fight infection. When bacteria or viruses get into your body, it's your immune system that kills them. Antibodies and white blood cells are part of your immune system. They travel in your blood and attack bacteria, viruses and other things that could damage your body.

liver

Your liver is on the right side of your body, just below your ribcage. Your liver does several things in your body, including processing and storing nutrients from food, and breaking down chemicals, such as alcohol.

lymph nodes

Lymph nodes (also called lymph glands) are small, bean-shaped lumps that you can't usually see or feel easily. You have them in various parts of your body, such as your neck, armpits, and groin. Lymph nodes filter lymph and remove unwanted things from your body, such as bacteria and cancer cells.

For more terms related to HIV infection

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