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Case 3: Kaposi's Sarcoma

Author: Christopher Behrens, MD

Case last updated: June 30, 2004

A 32-year-old HIV-infected man presents to clinic having noticed reddish-brown nodular lesions on his skin (Figure 1). His risk factor for acquisition of HIV is having sex with other men, his CD4 count is 230 cells/mm3, and he has never taken antiretroviral agents. A biopsy confirms Kaposi's sarcoma.

Which of the following is TRUE regarding Kaposi's sarcoma?

A In some patients, highly active antiretroviral therapy alone causes significant improvement of Kaposi's sarcoma lesions.
B Human herpes virus type 6 (HHV-6) is the causative agent of Kaposi's sarcoma.
C Visceral, but not isolated cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma, is an AIDS-defining illness.
D Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy is generally ineffective for management of localized cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma lesions.
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    Figure 1 - Cutaneous Kaposi's Sarcoma Figure 1