title: Results of radiation therapy for treatment of classic Kaposi sarcoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Classic Kaposi sarcoma (CKS) is a vascular neoplasm that primarily affects men of Mediterranean and Ashkenazi Jewish descent. A variety of therapeutic options exist, and choice of treatment depends on clinical form and stage, as well as lesion location and size; options include surgical excision, intralesional interferon alpha-2b, local or extended field radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to review the outcome of radiation therapy in the treatment of CKS at a single institution.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study reviewed patients who receive radiation therapy for histologically confirmed CKS between 1994 and 2006.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen patients were reviewed; the mean age at diagnosis was 74 years, and 13 patients were male. Fifteen patients (94%) presented with leg lesions, and two patients (12.5%) presented with arm lesions. The most commonly prescribed radiation dose was 30 Gy in 15 daily fractions of 2 Gy. All lesions responded to treatment, with a complete response rate of 88% and a partial response rate of 12%. Toxicity was limited to grade I dermatitis (four patients) and grade II dermatitis (two patients).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiation therapy is an effective treatment modality for CKS and is associated with minimal toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hauerstock
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gerstein
authors.forename: Te
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vuong
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome