Kaposi's sarcoma after liver transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), is a known complication following kidney transplantation. It has been reported more rarely following liver transplantation.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the clinico-epidemiologic data of KS after liver transplantation.


METHODS
150 liver graft recipients were examined; those presenting with KS were studied clinically, histologically and virologically.


RESULTS
Three cases of KS were observed. The three patients had been treated with OKT3 antiserum in addition to the standard regimen. The delay of appearance varied from 5 to 36 months. Two patients had a few cutaneous lesions and 1 had more extensive involvement; none of them had visceral localizations. In 2 cases, herpesvirus-like DNA sequences were detected within the lesions. Therapy consisted in decreasing the immunosuppressive treatment, in association with alpha-interferon or vindesine in 2 cases, respectively. All patients were alive after a follow-up of 19-45 months.


CONCLUSIONS
KS seems relatively frequent (2%) and appears within a short delay after liver transplantation; the prognosis may be more favourable than previously reported.
Besnard
V
V
Department of Dermatology (Pavillon R), Edouard Herriot Hospital, Lyon, France.
Euvrard
S
S
Kanitakis
J
J
Mion
F
F
Boillot
O
O
Françès
C
C
Faure
M
M
Claudy
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001483:Base Sequence; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016853:Muromonab-CD3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D015996:Survival Rate; D014751:Vindesine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004279:DNA, Viral; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D016853:Muromonab-CD3; D014751:Vindesine