Successful treatment of liver transplant-associated Kaposi's sarcoma with long-term vincristine.
Kaposi's sarcoma has a higher incidence in organ transplant recipients. We report on a 41-year-old Turkish man with liver transplantation-associated Kaposi's sarcoma that involved the skin and the gut. Immediately after discontinuation of immunosuppressive medication, there was an acute rejection episode. After controlling the acute rejection with steroids, the immunosuppressive treatment was continued together with vincristine, which resulted in disease remission. After 6 months, withdrawal of vincristine lead to relapse of the disease, prompting commencement of vincristine again, which has maintained the patient in remission for more than 3 years without any significant side effects. In conclusion, long-term vincristine may be an effective, safe treatment option for Kaposi's sarcoma.
Akay
S
S
Department of Gastroenterology, Ege University, Izmir 35040, Turkey.
Karasu
Z
Z
Akyildiz
M
M
Tokat
Y
Y
Goker
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014750:Vincristine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D014750:Vincristine