Kaposi's sarcoma in association with Behcet's disease: case report and literature review.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a case of Behcet's uveitis associated with Kaposi's sarcoma occurring simultaneously in a patient and to review the literature on iatrogenic Kaposi's sarcoma.


METHODS
We describe the case of a 44-year-old Moroccan man, who developed a Kaposi's sarcoma 8 months after immunosuppressive therapy for ocular Behçet's disease. He was treated with corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide (Exdoxan, Baxter) pulse for 6 months followed by oral azathioprine (Imurel, Glaxo Smith Kline). Literature searches were performed on iatrogenic Kaposi's sarcoma and other cases of such association and the potential pathogenic mechanisms involved.


RESULTS
Iatrogenic Kaposi's sarcoma is widely reported to develop after renal transplantation during immunosuppressive therapy. Less commonly, Kaposi's sarcoma occurs in patients receiving long-term corticosteroids or immunosuppressive therapy for rheumatic diseases. It is considered to be induced by activation of latent human herpes virus 8. To our knowledge, this is the second reported case of iatrogenic Kaposi's sarcoma in a patient with ocular Behçet's disease. Interferon-alpha is of value for patients with both conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
This case report underscores the relationship between environmental and infectious factors, drug-induced immunosuppression, and the development of Kaposi's sarcoma.
Mezalek
Z Tazi
ZT
Department of Internal Medicine, Ibn Sina Hospital, Rabat, Morroco. z.tazi@menara.ma
Harmouche
H
H
Attar
N El
NE
Serraj
K
K
Aouni
M
M
Adnaoui
M
M
Maaouni
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D003520:Cyclophosphamide