KAPOSI'S SARCOMA

Date

1986

Description

This image depicts the distal left leg and ankle where you can see a Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) cutaneous lesion. Note that a stasis dermatitis lesion due to venous insufficiency, can sometimes be mistaken for a KS lesion.
Kaposi sarcoma, is a malignant tumor of the lymphatic endothelium caused by the Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), i.e., Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), and arises from a cancer of the lymphatic endotheial lining. It is characterized by bluish-red cutaneous nodules. Kaposi's sarcoma is thought of as an opportunistic infection, affecting patients whose immune systems have been compromised, as in the case of patients with HIV/AIDS.

Source

Public Health Image Library