Kaposi sarcoma is not one of the terminal illnesses until it is in the AIDS epidemic. It is a form of soft tissue sarcoma. People are more susceptible to this disease who possess the rare virus human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and also possess weakened immune systems. Healthy cells are transformed into cancerous ones due to this virus. The manifestations of Kaposi sarcoma are irregular, it leads to the formation of skin tumors that are malignant. This issue can be fixed by medical practitioners, though it reoccurs. However, Kaposi Sarcoma Treatment can vary from person to person.
What is Kaposi Sarcoma?
One rare form of cancer generally characterized by skin, mucous membranes, and internal organ involvement is called Kaposi sarcoma. According to WHO approximately 10–20% of HIV/AIDS patients globally experience Kaposi sarcoma. Yes, Kaposi sarcoma has good treatment options in India, and here are some good hospitals for this disease.
Kaposi Sarcoma Types
Classic Kaposi sarcoma
This type is also known as Mediterranean sarcoma since it typically affects males and adults whose heritage is Middle Eastern, Eastern European, or Mediterranean. The likelihood of being affected is higher in men and AMAB people over 60. Patients with this sarcoma frequently experience skin lesions that initially appear slowly but then progressively get bigger and more numerous. It is possible for lesions to spread to internal organs.
Epidemic (AIDs-related) Kaposi sarcoma
Of all the types of Kaposi sarcoma found in the US, this one is the most prevalent. In any case, if an HIV-positive human has Kaposi sarcoma or AIDS, cancer tumors can metastasize throughout the entire organism.
Endemic Kaposi sarcoma
Another name for this kind of sarcoma is African sarcoma, and it mostly affects persons in equatorial Africa. The traditional Kaposi sarcoma and this sarcoma are comparable. Generally speaking, endemic Kaposi sarcoma is detected at a far younger age than traditional Kaposi sarcoma.
Acquired Kaposi sarcoma
This kind of Kaposi sarcoma is not typical. People who are carriers of HHV-8 and have undergone any immunosuppressive medication for an organ or bone marrow transplant. Kaposi sarcoma is the most common acquired form in which skin lesions are manifested.
Kaposi Sarcoma Symptoms
- Oral lesions are the source of mouth pain during meals.
- You may cough up blood and find breathing difficult when you have lung lesions.
- Diarrhea brought on by gastrointestinal issues.
- If a lesion obstructs one of your lymph nodes, you can develop lymphedema.
- Constipation or vomiting may be brought on by lesions blocking particular areas of your digestive tract.
- In colors of purple, brown, or red, patches and dot work are used. It is possible to have both smooth and rough surfaces. They could show up in one or more spots on your body.
- Stomach pain and bleeding due to the presence of lesions in the abdomen.
Kaposi Sarcoma Causes
Kaposi sarcoma may arise if the HHV-8 virus infects the cells lining your lymphatic and blood vessels. Less than 10% of people in the US have the virus that can cause sores by transforming healthy cells into malignant ones that spread.
Kaposi Sarcoma Causes
Certain risk factors enhance the likelihood of developing Kaposi sarcoma from HHV-8. There is a risk to the following factors:
- Sexual activity
- Sex
- Immune deficiency
- Ethnicity
- Age
Kaposi Sarcoma Complications
Anemia: This makes people intrinsically anemic due to internal bleeding from the digestive tract resulting from the development of Kaposi sarcoma.
Second cancer: It is worth noting that persons with normal Kaposi sarcoma can develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma which is a cancer.
Diagnosis of Kaposi Sarcoma in India
Endoscopy
If the person develops GI involvement of Kaposi Sarcoma, a gastroscope is used to visualize the area affected and obtain tissue samples. This makes it possible to have a view of lesions and the targeted tissue sample which makes it easy to identify GI tract disorders and monitor them.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Kaposi sarcoma’s associated herpes virus also referred to as human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) is confirmed molecularly using PCR. Especially, Kaposi sarcoma has been found to be causally related to this virus. Since HHV-8 is a cell-associated herpesvirus, PCR can be done on a tissue biopsy specimen in addition to a blood or saliva sample.
Immunophenotyping
The identification of preferential cell surface markers by using antibodies is called immunophenotyping. Immunophenotyping can confirm the existence of cell markers unique to Kaposi sarcoma. Evaluation of these markers’ expression is frequently done via flow cytometry, which aids in the identification and categorization of Kaposi sarcoma subtypes.
Imaging Techniques
Apart from conventional imaging studies, the extent of Kaposi Sarcoma in various parts of the body can be assessed with the help of more sophisticated modalities like an MRI scan or PET-CT. These imaging modalities thus help lighten the work of making a diagnosis as well as recommended treatment plans.
Biopsy
A biopsy is an essential part of diagnosis, which implies taking a very small piece of the affected bodily tissue and examining it through a lens of the microscope. This helps in defining the subtype and confirming the presence of Kaposi sarcoma. A biopsy can be performed using one of three methods: excisional or punch, incisional based on the size and location of the lesions required for biopsy.
Kaposi Sarcoma Treatment Options in India
Kaposi sarcoma treatment in India aims to aggressively target the disease as well as control it, improving the patient’s quality of life through effective symptom management. Regarding the treatment, the possible choices depend on the severity of the case, the state of the patient’s health, and the presence of other diseases, including AIDS and HIV. These represent some of the most advanced Kaposi sarcoma therapy methods in India;
Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
The main therapeutic intervention that falls under the Kaposi sarcoma HIV/AIDS-related is starting or intensifying antiretroviral treatment. Maculopapular lesions from Kaposi sarcoma may not progress or even regression is seen by the impact of ART on immunological recovery.
Cryotherapy
The procedure commonly referred to as cryotherapy entails the use of low temperatures in the eradication of lesions due to Kaposi sarcoma. Tumor cells are annihilated after the usage of a temporary constriction by using liquid nitrogen or an equivalent cryogenic substance to immediately freeze affected tissue. Cryotherapy is a common technique in the treatment of superficial lesions most especially those of the skin and mucosal surfaces. It may be preferable as a modality of treatment in the case of small, single lesions.
Local Excision
A single Kaposi sarcoma lesion or a few in small groups can be excised by local excision which is a surgical procedure. When the area of tissue that needs to be excised has been trimmed, there must be a white tissue border around it. Often, this Kaposi Sarcoma Treatment is used to treat isolated lesions that have not spread. The goal of local excision is to completely remove tumors that are visible in order to reduce tumor size and improve look.
Systemic Therapy
If the Kaposi sarcoma has progressed or is very severe, systemic therapy can be necessary. These include;
- Chemotherapy: liposomal doxorubicin, paclitaxel, and vinblastine, which are examples of chemotherapeutic medications used to treat and delay the progression of Kaposi sarcoma.
- Immunotherapy: Immunomodulatory medications such as pembrolizumab and interferon-alpha are examples of immunomodulatory therapies that can be used to enhance the immune system’s response to Kaposi sarcoma.
- Targeted therapy: Clinical studies are exploring targeted drugs that block specific biological targets, including VEGF or Kaposin-B, which have been connected to Kaposi sarcoma, to find new treatment options.
Intralesional Therapy
Drugs or other materials are injected directly into the lesions caused by Kaposi sarcoma as part of an intralesional treatment. By giving specific medication to the damaged location, this technique allows lesion regression. In intralesional therapy, immunomodulators, chemotherapeutic medicines, and substances that elicit certain immune responses can all be employed. When alternative therapies or surgery are not acceptable, intralesional therapy may be helpful for one or more lesions.
Supportive Care
The patient’s quality of life can only be improved by efficient symptom control in conjunction with supportive care. This includes controlling pain, tending to open wounds, treating any coexisting diseases or associated problems, and offering emotional support.
Kaposi Sarcoma Treatment Cost in India
| Treatment | Approx. Cost in USD |
| CT Scan | $ 50 – $ 480 |
| MRI | $ 200 – $ 650 |
| PET CT | $ 450 – $ 850 |
| Cryotherapy | $650 – $ 1000 |
| Chemotherapy | $ 600 – $ 5000 |
| Radiotherapy | $ 1500 – $ 20000 |
| Target Therapy | $4200 – $ 30000 |
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