ABSTRACT
Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is the most frequent neoplastic disorder encountered in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, and was first described by Moritz Kaposi in 1872 as ‘idiopathic, multiple, pigment sarcoma’. Epidemiologic data show a higher rate of HHV-8 seropositivity in patients who acquired HIV via sexual contacts than compared to people who acquired HIV through blood products. Several studies indicate HIV gene products and chronic immune stimulation caused by the release of inflammatory cytokines may contribute to the pathogenesis of KS. HIV-associated KS displays a variety of distinct clinical features which often differ from other forms of KS. Retinoids are derived from vitamin A, which has been shown to be depleted in some HIV-infected patients. The development of epithelial neoplasms in patients infected with HIV is markedly increased, especially in oral and anogenital sites. Squamous cell carcinoma in HIV-infected patients may occur in the anogenital areas, skin, cervix, oral cavity, and conjunctiva.
