Epidemiology of Kaposi's sarcoma in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in São Paulo, Brazil.
BACKGROUND
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most frequent neoplasm in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Although many studies on KS epidemiology have been performed in other countries, few have been carried out in Brazil despite the high incidence of AIDS.


METHODS
One hundred and seven KS patients seen in São Paulo, Brazil, between August 1995 and November 1998 were studied. The patients were followed for 1 year with assessment of the immunologic status, improvement of the lesions, treatment, and causes of death at the end of this period.


RESULTS
KS occurred mainly in men (94.4%) with a mean age of 37 years, and 25.2% of these patients were found to be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive through KS. HIV was acquired mainly through homosexual contact. The patients presented an average of 15.9 KS lesions at the first visit and the mean duration of KS lesions before the first visit was 15.5 months. The clinical presentation was predominantly papules and plaques, and 33.6% presented with mucosal and/or visceral disease. KS affected mainly the lower limbs. The mean time since the diagnosis of HIV infection was 42.4 months. The CD4+ cell count was lower than 200 cell/mm(3) in 60.8% of patients, but patients with a complete response showed an improvement in immune status after 1 year. Patients who did not show progression received a protease inhibitor as part of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Patients treated exclusively with HAART presented a complete response (61.6%), partial response (23%) or progression (15.4%) of KS.


CONCLUSIONS
An improvement in immune status and the use of HAART were the most important prognostic features.
Yoshioka
Márcia Cristina Naomi
MC
Department of Dermatology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. marciayoshioka@uol.com.br <marciayoshioka@uol.com.br>
Alchorne
Mauricio Mota de Avelar
MM
Porro
Adriana Maria
AM
Tomimori-Yamashita
Jane
J
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*