Classic Kaposi's sarcoma in Greece: a clinico-epidemiological profile.
BACKGROUND
Classic Kaposi's sarcoma (CKS) is not uncommon in Greece with a reported incidence of 0.20 per 100,000 per year.


METHODS
Epidemiological, clinical and histological features of all CKS cases, diagnosed in 'A. Sygros' hospital, Athens, Greece during the years 1989-1994, have been recorded and studied prospectively.


RESULTS
During the five-year period studied, 66 CKS patients have been diagnosed in our hospital. Incidence among dermatologic patients was 2.11 per 10,000 patients examined, representing 1.35% of total skin malignancies. Patients' age at diagnosis ranged from 53 to 94 years (mean 72 +/- 8.8). The male to female ratio was 2.47:1. A high proportion of the patients were born in Peloponnesos (42.42%) and were residing in Athens (51.51%) or in Peloponnesos (24.24%). Nodules and/or plaques were the most frequent type of lesion, most commonly located on the feet (43.93%) or the hands (28.78%). Accompanying edema was seen in 51.51% of the patients. There were 16 stage I patients (24.24%), 40 stage II (60.60%), 0 stage III and 10 stage IV (15.15%). Involvement of visceral organs was detected in seven patients (10.60%), while 10 had lymph node involvement (15.15%) and three, involvement of the underlying bones (4.54%). Second primary malignancy was diagnosed in 6 cases (9.09%), most often of the reticuloendothelial system (83.33%).


CONCLUSIONS
CKS in Greece exhibits some special characteristics, including older age of onset; lower male to female ratio; endemic clustering; disseminated skin disease at diagnosis, often accompanied by lymphedema; not unusual visceral or lymph node involvement and association with second malignancies. We suggest that CKS in Greece possibly represents a distinct endemic subtype of CKS.
Stratigos
J D
JD
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, A. Sygros Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Potouridou
I
I
Katoulis
A C
AC
Hatziolou
E
E
Christofidou
E
E
Stratigos
A
A
Hatzakis
A
A
Stavrianeas
N G
NG
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000556:secondary; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004487:Edema / Q000453:epidemiology; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006225:Hand / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012157:Mononuclear Phagocyte System / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy; D012737:Sex Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D015996:Survival Rate