Kaposi Sarcoma

Kaposi sarcoma is a type of cancer that can cause lesions—which are typically purple and made of cancer cells and blood cells—to form in the skin; lymph nodes; mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and throat; or other organs. Unlike other cancers, these lesions can form in more than one place in the body at the same time.

While most people infected with human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8)—also called Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV)—do not get Kaposi sarcoma, this virus is found in the lesions of all patients with this form of cancer. The people infected with HHV-8 who are more likely to develop Kaposi sarcoma have immune systems weakened by disease or by drugs given after an organ transplant.

Kaposi Sarcoma Treatment (PDQ®)

Source: National Cancer Institute