Pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma in pregnancy

• Published in: American journal of perinatology Vol. 21; no. 6; p. 355
• Main Authors: Bryant, Ann E, Genc, Mehmet, Hurtado, Rocío M, Chen, Katherine T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.08.2004
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - complications; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - pathology; Adult; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms - diagnosis; Lung Neoplasms - etiology; Lung Neoplasms - pathology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - diagnosis; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - pathology; Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic - diagnosis; Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic - etiology; Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic - pathology; Sarcoma, Kaposi - diagnosis; Sarcoma, Kaposi - etiology; Sarcoma, Kaposi - pathology; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0735-1631
• DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-831880

Kaposi's sarcoma in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) -infected women, often misdiagnosed, has an aggressive clinical course, with high rates of visceral involvement and decreased survival. We describe the first case of isolated pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma in pregnancy. A nulliparous woman was diagnosed with AIDS after presenting at 25 weeks gestation with a cough and multiple pulmonary nodules. Extensive pulmonary evaluation was nondiagnostic until thorascopic lung biopsy revealed Kaposi's sarcoma. Despite combination antiretroviral therapy, her malignancy progressed. Labor was induced at 33.5 weeks gestation for nonreassuring fetal testing. She received chemotherapy postpartum and remains in remission. Pulmonary Kaposi's sarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of HIV-infected obstetric patients with respiratory compromise. Definitive diagnosis is necessary given the aggressive clinical course that is potentially responsive to therapy.