Kaposi's sarcoma complicating immunosuppressive therapy for angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia

• Published in: Tumori Vol. 68; no. 6; p. 537
• Main Authors: Cazzola, M, Bergamaschi, G, Castello, A, Del Forno, C, Dezza, L, Magrini, U, Ascari, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 31.12.1982
• Subjects: Aged; Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy - complications; Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy - drug therapy; Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy - pathology; Lymph Nodes - pathology; Mechlorethamine - adverse effects; Prednisone - adverse effects; Procarbazine - adverse effects; Sarcoma, Kaposi - chemically induced; Sarcoma, Kaposi - pathology; Skin - pathology; Vincristine - adverse effects
• ISSN: 0300-8916
• DOI: 10.1177/030089168206800615

Cutaneous and visceral dissemination of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) occurred in a patient with angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia (AILD) who had been treated with combination chemotherapy. Three other cases of KS complicating immunosuppressive therapy of AILD have been reported in the literature, and there is evidence to indicate that AILD displays features which are known to predispose to KS. Like in other subjects with profound immunodeficiency (e.g. in young homosexual men), in our patient KS pursued an unusually aggressive course, with involvement of lymph nodes and internal organs as well as the skin. It is concluded that the risk of developing severe KS is a further reason to avoid aggressive combination chemotherapy in patients with AILD, particularly in those of Jewish or Mediterranean ancestry. Even the use of corticosteroids should be reduced to a minimum to avoid immunosuppression, and a conservative approach to treatment seems advisable.