Case 3: Kaposi's Sarcoma

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Updated January 8, 2011

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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?

	In some patients, highly active antiretroviral therapy alone causes significant improvement of Kaposi's sarcoma lesions.
	Human herpes virus type 6 (HHV-6) is the causative agent of Kaposi's sarcoma.
	Although Kaposi's sarcoma can be serious, it is not an AIDS-defining illness.
	For patients with visceral Kaposi's sarcoma, bleomycin (Blenoxane) combined with vincristine (Oncovin) is the treatment of choice.

Multiple oval, dark red, purple plaques present on chest and arms.

Figure 1