Kaposi's sarcoma of the head and neck: a review.
Important advances in Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) knowledge have been achieved, but KS is still a dilemma. It is an angioproliferative disorder classified as an intermediate neoplasm due to the absence of conventional clinical features of malignancy, but at the moment, it remains unclear if KS could be considered a reactive proliferation of endothelial cells and spindle cells, a true malignancy or both. In this review, the authors address the main epidemiological, clinical, and biological features, of the five types of KS, with emphasis on KS affecting the head and neck region. Also, a revision is done in relation with transmission, the role of saliva, and the pathogenic events associated with human herpesvirus type-8 (HHV-8). Treatment options are revised, highlighting the need for future approaches focused on targeting signaling pathways.
Ramírez-Amador
Velia
V
Departamento de Atención a la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, Calzada del Hueso 1100, Villa Quietud, México D.F., Mexico. rava1863@correo.xoc.uam.mx
Anaya-Saavedra
Gabriela
G
Martínez-Mata
Guillermo
G
D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D019288:Herpesvirus 8, Human; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019083:Mediterranean Region / Q000453:epidemiology; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology