Prognostic factors in Kaposi sarcoma, single centre experience

• Published in: Australasian journal of dermatology Vol. 65; no. 5; pp. 444 - 450
• Main Authors: Değerli, Ezgi, Oruç, Kerem, Şentürk Öztaş, Nihan, Alkan Şen, Gülin, Bedir, Şahin, Demirci, Nebi Serkan, Demirelli, Hulusi Fuat
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.08.2024
• Subjects: Chemotherapy; classic type kaposi; Gender; Hemoglobin; Herpes viruses; HHV‐8; Kaposi sarcoma; Kaposis sarcoma; Medical prognosis; Patients; prognosis; Radiation therapy; Sarcoma; Survival; classic type kaposi; Kaposi sarcoma; HHV‐8; prognosis
• ISSN: 0004-8380; 1440-0960; 1440-0960
• DOI: 10.1111/ajd.14309

Background Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a multicentric vascular and lymphatic neoplasm caused by human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8). It generally concerns the elderly and immunosuppressed population. Four major clinical types of KS have been described. The most common subtype is Classical KS (CKS). Objectives Our retrospective study aimed to better define prognostic subgroups among patients with CKS, which is the most common in our country. Method Between 2014 and 2020, 43 patients with CKS were treated with local excision, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Reviewed information included demographics, clinical features, laboratory findings, treatment responses and overall survival. Results During the follow‐up, eight patients (18.6%) died of CKS. The complete response rate was 46.5%, partial response and stable disease 51.2%, and progressive disease 2.3% of all patients. Gender, haemoglobin level at diagnosis, and disseminated involvement were prognostic factors affecting survival in all patients. Conclusion We confirmed that male gender, low haemoglobin levels, and disseminated involvement are associated with poor prognosis in CKS patients. It is the only Turkish study in which prognostic analysis was performed for this rare cancer.